Monday Jan. 01, 1973
We took out our Christmas tree this morning and put up the decorations. I then went to work for Larry and worked 3 hours. We had an appointment with Dr. Opie at 4:30PM. This evening we held Family Home Evening as a family and had a good time. We finished the evening playing game as a family.
Tuesday, January 02, 1973
David woke several times, with an ear ache, during the night. He feels ok this morning. After work I played hand ball with Scott Frye. I then went over to the spa. I was sure tired when I got home. Mae sure is a wonderful wife.
Wednesday, January 03, 1973
I took a nap after work and then went up to Bishop’s meeting for oral evaluation. Sandi had her first baby sitting job while Jim & Marion Frazer went to the Temple. Mae waited up for me, she sure is great.
Thursday, January 04, 1973
Mae had a hectic day today with primary and trying to get ready to go to Utah. I went to the Temple to work in the Baptistery. We finished packing and went to bed late.
Friday, January 05, 1973
Mom and Dad Jensen drove us over to the airport at 6AM. Mom and Dad Porter met the airplane in Salt Lake City. We went to their home. There we visited with Mae’s family for a while. We then went over to Bob and Carroll’s for a while. We came back to Mae’s parents home and played games until late.
Saturday, January 06, 1973
We went slay riding at 10:30 AM in Ogden with Jean and Cindy. At 12:30 PM, we went to Morgan, to Uncle Dale and Aunt Ester’s cabin. There we ate and went snowmobiling. This evening Mae and I went out to an Italian restraint with Richard and RaNae Barney. We visited with them for a while.
I will insert a note that I found in the back of my Diary, here.
We were visiting in Utah and I had planned on taking the children sleigh riding into a park in Ogden. I know that it was cold and so I tried to talk David (2 years old) into staying home with Grandma Porter, as she would be lonely if we all left. After some time not getting very far with my argument with David, Mike (3 years old) came up to me and said “I will stay home with Grandma and you can take David”.
Sunday, January 07, 1973
We attended Stake Conference this morning. This afternoon Hal & Jean, Bryce & Deanna, Georgia & Ross Merklick, Mae & I and all our children had dinner with Mon and Dad Porter. We then played a few games. We, Mae, our children and I , went over to Bob and Carroll’s in the evening.
Monday, January 08, 1973
I went over to Commercial Security Bank and visited with John Howard for a while. Bob and I then went to Salt Lake to check with a couple of places about job opportunities. I believe that one of the companies was Mountian Bell Phone Company. The girl at the reception ask me if I had a degree and when I said that I didn’t she called her supervisor to tell him that I didn’t have a collage degree and ask him what she should do with me. I didn’t have any luck at finding a job. While I was gone, Mae got everything ready to leave. We left for Phoenix at 9:30 PM on the last flight on Hughes Air West. Mon and Dad Jensen met us at the airport to take us home.
Tuesday, January 09, 1973
After super this evening, I trimmed more of the Rose bushes. I then came into the house where I played with the children. I helped Sandi with her math. I then went to the Health Spa to work out for a while. Mae and I were both tired tonight.
Wednesday, January 10, 1973
After work I went out with Daniel Price to look at a home in Apache Junction. The home had been damaged by a flash flood with the one end of the home being swept away. He had rebuilt the exterior walls, furred them out and sheet rocked them but now needed to have the sheetrock finished. I decided to do it for him in the evenings, after normal work. This evening I attended Bishopric meeting. When I got home from meeting, Mae and I talked about going back into contracting. (Larry has been talking to me about going back to work with him.) I just don’t know???
Thursday, January 11, 1973
Mae and I are fasting today that we might receive guidance in making the right decision, as to going back into construction. I worked at the Temple doing Baptisms, this evening. After finishing I joined Mae and other Ward members who had gone through a session with Brother and Sister Bullock.
Friday, January 12, 1973
After supper I went over to Larry’s and talked with him about getting my Contractors License. I then came back home and stayed with the children while Mae went to the Spa. This evening, Hale and Mollie Ashcroft came over to our home just to visit for a while.
Saturday, January 13, 1973
I worked 7 hours for Bishop Price today. In the evening all the family went over to Marian and Jim Frazer’s for dinner and to visit. Mom and Dad Jensen left to go back to their home in Idaho Falls this morning. Dad Jensen isn’t feeling very well.
Sunday, January 14, 1973
We attended meetings this morning, then after dinner I went to sleep with the boys. Mae attended a Stake meeting. Sacrament meeting was very good this evening. Mae and I attended a Fireside at 7:30PM. Mae and I talked until mid-night, both being discouraged over my job and our finances.
Monday, January 15, 1973
For Family Home evening we went with Larry’s family to Pioneer Park. After eating we let the children play for a while. All of us then came to our place for a lesson and refreshments. Mae and Tammy then went to the Spa, while Larry and I visited while tending the children. It was a very nice evening.
Tuesday, January 16, 1973
David and Mike woke up sick this morning. By evening Mike was feeling better but David is worse. I was to work this evening on a job for Larry but Larry called me to tell me that all the material had not been delivered to the job site, so I stayed home. I held David in my arms this evening while we watched a show on TV. I later gave Brother Freeman a call and came over to our place. He and I administered to David.
Wednesday, January 17, 1973
David had slept most of the night and was feeling much better by the time I got home from work. We took all our family to Dr. Opie’s when I got home from work. Mae and I attended the Temple this evening, along with other Ward members, to support Brother Dennis and Sister Carol Hollie, as they were married for Time and All Eternity. We enjoyed refreshments with Ward Members after leaving the Temple.
Thursday, January 18, 1973
Mike isn’t feeling very well today. Mae has been busy most of the day with her Primary calling. This evening I went to the Temple to work in the Baptistery. Tonight I was assigned to do the baptizing for the dead. I did the baptizing for 613 people that have died not having that opportunity in this life. I got home at 10:15PM from the Temple.
Friday, January 19, 1973
After getting home from work, I ate dinner and then went to work on the house for Bishop Price for another 5 ½ hours. The children all seem to be feeling better this evening.
Saturday, January 20, 1973
This morning I finished reading the Book of Mormon. I know that it is true and I pray that I may always have that testimony and it will ever keep growing. Larry and I went out in the desert (I believe that day we took our motor cycles. We had followed a dirt road for several miles until it ended. There we found a wallet along with other evidences of the activities that took place there. Larry checked the wallet and found the drivers license, so when he got home he called the person. When he told him where we found it and that he wanted to return it, the man said “No you didn’t and hung up. Larry mailed it to him anyway.) After returning home Larry and I took Tammy and Mae out to eat.
Sunday, January 21, 1973
This has been a bad day for me today. I feel that I have had Satan on my back all day. I didn’t sleep well last night and have been on edge all day. Mae and I watched a T.V. show and then set up late and talked. She is sure a wonderful wife.
Monday, January 22, 1973
When I got home from work today, Mae and I decided that we should go to a public hearing at Arizona State University where there is a hearing on the proposed Sex Education classes for Public Schools in Arizona. We also got Lois Porter, Bob and Marilyn Allen to attend with us. I felt that it was worthwhile that we attended and I feel good at the proposal being recommended.
Tuesday, January 23, 1973
I registered for an O.S. Concepts class taught at Maricopa Community College and attended the first class this evening. Jerry Hanselman brought me home after the class. I watched a show on TV and while doing that I also cut out items for a class Mae is going to teach.
Wednesday, January 24, 1973
I went to Bishopric meeting this evening. I got home from there at 9:15PM. I helped Mae with some preparations for the Primary Daddy Daughter’s Date. I also watched some TV.
Thursday, January 25, 1973
Mae has had a busy day today, getting ready for the Daddy Daughter’s party and attended Primary meeting. This evening Sandy and I attended the Daddy Daughter’s party and had a great time
Friday, January 26, 1973
I didn’t feel the best when I came home from work this evening but felt better after dinner. We watched TV for a while and then went over to Larry and Tammy’s.
Saturday, January 27, 1973
The Peace Treaty was signed at 3:10AM this morning with Vietnam. I worked 8 hours for Bishop Price today. We went over to Finch Park for a Ward Cook Out. There was a good turnout. I figured bills this evening. We are not doing very well in our finances this month but some better than we were. The extra work for Larry and the job I am doing for Bishop Price helped out.
Sunday, January 28, 1973
We attended out church meeting today as normal. After Sacrament meeting I went Home Teaching to the Weight’s. Victor and Ruth Townson, from Ogden, came over and visited with us. We knew the Townson’s from the Mound Fort Ward when we lived there. It was good to visit with them.
Monday, January 29, 1973
This evening for Family Home Evening we invited Brother and Sister Harley as well as Sister Essley to join with us. We had a very nice evening and it was a good experience for our children to have these older members with us. After we had our lesson and enjoyed refreshments our company left. We put the children to bed and I figured on our income taxes while Mae did some reading.
Tuesday, January 30, 1973
At work I spent most of the day learning how to put JCL and Source programs on to a library. After work I went my class at Maricopa Community College. From school I went to the Church House for a Priesthood interview with the Stake President. When I got home I called Roy and Linda to see how they are doing.
Wednesday, January 31, 1973
It was a busy day at work today. When I got home Mae told me that Tammy had called her to inform her that Sister Hansen and the Townsend’s had came to visit. Mae invited all of them and Tammy’s family to come for dinner. At 5:30PM Sister Vera Hansen and her sister, Victor and Ruth Townsend, Larry, Tammy and their family came over. We had a wonderful dinner and enjoyed visiting. It was a very nice evening. Although we hadn’t expected company this evening, Mae was a perfect Hostess and made everyone feel very welcome. I sure have a great wife!
(Just an added note: Vera Hansen and her husband were some of the senior members of the Mound Fort Ward in Ogden, when Mae and I lived there. The Hansen’s took Mae and I under their wings and treated us as one of their children. We went to the Logan Temple with them a few times. I believe that at this time Brother Hansen had passed away. Sister Hansen had asked Vic and Ruth to bring her down to Mesa as her sister invited her to come down and live with her.)
Thursday, February 01, 1973
I came home from work quite sick so I took vitamin C and went to bed.
Friday, February 02, 1973
I felt much better this morning so went to work. After work all of us (my family) went into Dr. Opie. This evening Mae and I attended the Temple. On the way home the front wheel bearing went out on the car. We were not sure that we would get the car home, but just said a prayed and drove on. We made it! Mae and I stayed up late watching a show on TV.
Saturday, February 03, 1973
This morning, being Ground Hog Day, Mae and I were invited to attend a Dutch oven breakfast with the menu being Ground Hog, at Lanny Owens. They had invited many couples, including Bishop and Sister Rice, who did not attend because of the menu. When invited, we were told that, because it was Ground Hog Day, we would be having “Ground Hog” for breakfast. The breakfast menu was biscuits, grave, eggs and sausage (ground hog) cooked in Dutch ovens. It was delicious and we had a very enjoyable time. Those that did not attend were disappointed to think they had stayed because they thought it was Ground Hog that they were cooking. After returning from breakfast Bishop Rice and I went to the Church house and did some remodeling on the Bishopric and clerk’s office area. This afternoon I started repairing our car. Mae took Sandy and Shellie to a movie. I tended the boys while they were gone.
Sunday, February 04 1973
We attended meetings this morning as a family. Larry and Tammy invited us for dinner at 5PM. We had a very nice time and got home about 10:45PM.
Monday, February 05, 1973
After work I went to the parts store to get parts for the car. We had a nice Family Home Evening and then I worked on the car for a while. Mae and I had planned on setting up and reading but I was too tired so we just went to bed.
Tuesday, February 06, 1973
After dinner this evening I went up to the Church house. I built and installed door jams and casings for the door ways we put in last Saturday. I was sure tired when I came home. Mae is sure wonderful!
Wednesday, February 07, 1973
After work Mae and I went up to Doctor Opie’s for treatments. Mae still isn’t feeling very well. I went up to the Church house for Bishopric meeting and I didn’t get home until 11:30PM. Tonight Mae’s back is still giving her a lot of pain. Sandy had taken care of the younger children so that Mae could rest. Mae told me that Sandy had really been good with the children.
Thursday, February 08, 1973
Today Mae’s back is still hurting her although she says that it is better than yesterday. Mae went up to Doctor Opie for another treatment. David has come down with another cold. We are not sure just what to do for David but he is sick a lot. I worked at the Temple again this evening. I also got our tax returns mailed in. We called Mom Jensen and visited with her for a while. They had arrived home ok and Dad Jensen is feeling better.
Friday, February 09, 1973
After work Mae and I took the children to the park. We bought hamburgers for dinner. We then left Sandy and Shellie to play at the park and took the boys grocery shopping with us. Tonight Sandy stayed at her friends. Mae and I attended a wedding reception at the Power’s. When we got home we watched a show on TV before going to bed.
Saturday, February 10, 1973
I worked 3 ½ hours for Danial Price. I took Shellie and Mike with me. This afternoon Mae and I worked in the yard. This evening we attended a High Priest party. Later we attended a dance put on by the 1st Wards Elders Quorum. We had a great time.
Sunday, February 11, 1973
We attended church meetings as normal today. I was tired all day. After dinner we took the children to get ice cream.
Monday, February 12, 1973
After work I went to work for Bishop Price. Mae held F.H.E. with the children without me. I worked 4 hours this evening and it was mid-night before I got to bed.
Tuesday, February 13, 1973
After work I went to school, getting home about 8:30PM. Mae had made a Birthday Cake for Tammy so we took it over to her, wishing her a Happy Birthday. We stopped at Bishop Price, on the way and got a check from him for the work I have done. The check was for $189.50. We stopped at the bank and deposited the check. Before coming home we also stopped and got a ice cream Sunday.
Wednesday, February 14, 1973
After work we took all the family to Doctor Opie’s. All the children checked out ok but as normal Mae and I needed some adjustments. After returning home, Mom Porter called and talked for a while. This evening Sandy tended the children for us while Mae and I attended the Temple and went out to eat with the Bishopric.
Thursday, February 15, 1973
Our furnace went out at 5am this morning, so I didn’t get to work until 12:30PM. This evening I was the Baptizer and Baptized 4 people, doing a total of 467 names. This evening Sister Verna Hansen from the Ogden Mount Fort Ward gave both Mae and I a new Temple Robe that she had made for us. She is visit or staying with her sister here in Mesa. She looked us up when she came down. That was very special of her. Raymond L. Brown, 1st Counselor in the Mesa Temple Presidency set me apart as a Temple Worker this evening.
Friday, February 16, 1973
I got a raise in pay and a good work review today. That was good news. After work our family went camping with Larry and Tammy’s family. We have found several good camping areas north of the Salt River and east of Mesa. We have found that the desert still has some special beauties as part of God’s creation. Cora and Dale Tinnes and their family from Ogden, are visiting and so we invited then to join us. They are not prepared for camping over night but they did come out and had dinner with us. After eating and visiting for a little while they went back to Mesa to stay. After they left and it became late in the evening, we putting the children to bed. Larry, Tammy, Mae and I stayed up and talked until quite late. We have a very enjoyable relationship with those two. Larry and I slept in the car but the rest of our family was able to sleep in the Larry and Tammy’s camp trailer.
Saturday, February 17, 1973
Larry and I took his motorcycles out into the desert this morning. We just had a great time just riding and exploring the desert. (I believe this incident happened at this time so I am going to add it here.) We followed a dirt road for quite a while until it came to an end. As we stopped at the end of the road we saw a wallet and some other tell tells as to what had taken place there. When Larry opened the wallet there was a little money in it plus other normal cards including a driver’s license. Larry said that he would call the owner and get it back to him. He later told me that he looked up the name in the phone book and called. When he told the man that he had found his wallet the man said “you did not and don’t you call again” and hung up the phone. Larry did mail the wallet and condense to the address he found in the phone book. Anyway Larry and I had a very relaxing time We got came back to camp, pack and got home about 2PM. This afternoon Mae and I bought some material and made a new trellis to go on our carport. Mae also got her hair done today. This evening we watched some TV before going to bed.
Sunday, February 18, 1973
I spent most of the day in meetings today. David didn’t feel well this morning so Mae stayed home from Sunday school. We had the Full Time Missionaries, Elder Reese and Elder Wright to our home for dinner today.  We enjoyed having them come to visit with us. It was special that Uncle Van wanted to have them also visit with us while they we in town to visit Uncle Van’s family. After an enjoyable visit and they went back to Uncle Van’s, our family watched the movie “The Ten Commandments” on TV, before going to bed.
Monday, February 19, 1973
Mae bought wheat, flower and sugar for our food storage today. The children were home from school today in honor of President’s Day. This evening we had a very nice Family Home Evening. I was also able to finish building the trellises to go on the west side of our carport. I sure am blessed to have such a great family.
Tuesday, February 20, 1973
After work I went to my evening class. When I got home Sandy was having trouble with her math home work. I spent some time helping her with that. After dinner Mae and I went up to the hospital to see Aunt Allison. When we got home we talked until 11:30 before going to bed.
Wednesday, February 21, 1973
This evening I attended Bishopric meeting but it didn’t last very long. I wrote a letter to Mom and Dad Jensen before going to bed.
Thursday, February 22, 1973
I was late getting home from work. I had to go straight up to the Temple, to perform my calling as a Temple Worker in the Baptistery. Mae also had a busy day today so when I got home we went right to bed. David isn’t feeling very well today.
Friday, February 23, 1973
I was sure tired when I got home this afternoon. Sandy had a baby sitting job this evening. After dinner I did the dishes and tended the children while Mae studied for a talk. We went to bed early and sure slept well tonight.
Saturday, February 24, 1973
We slept in until 8AM and it sure felt good. I hung three doors at the Church and finished about 4PM. I then went over to Willis’s to check on a job I will do next week. This evening Mae and I went with Louis and Deloy Porter to a Western show.
Sunday, February 25, 1973
We attended our regular Sunday meetings. This afternoon I took a nap. Mae and I went up to the hospital to see Aunt Allison. We had a nice visit and really enjoyed it. On the way home we stopped at a car lot just to look. We then stopped and got an ice cream.
Monday, February 26. 1973
When I got home from work, Mae and the children had everything ready for my Birthday. It is a day early but they know that tomorrow evening I have school. I had to go to the Church house and adjust a door. When I got back we held Family Home evening with Sandy giving the lesson. After the children went to bed, Mae and I painted the trellises that I had built. I sure love my family.
Tuesday, February 27, 1973
After work I went to my class at Maricopa Community College. I got home about 8PM. Larry and Tammy, Milvin and his girl friend, Mae and I went out to eat at the Lost Alaskan for my birthday.
Wednesday, February 28, 1973
We didn’t hold Bishopric meeting this evening so I was able to stay home tonight. I got a few things repaired around the house. I figured our bills, we were able to cover them but that is about all. We received word that Bryce and Deanna got a baby girl today.
Thursday, March 1, 1973
I called Irven to wish him a Happy Birthday.
(I have some confusion in my Diary as to this next experience and what date it occurred on.)
At work I had one of my co-workers ask me if I know anything about Tape Library Systems? I told him that I had designed and programmed a Tape Library System for Hughs Air West. He went straight into my supervisor, who met with the Data Processing Manager, Mr. Wamper. A little later I got a call to come into the Managers office. There I was asked to explain my experience with the Tape Library system. In the room were the manager, all three supervisors, which included Ron Shumway and the co-worker. I told them that I had designed and wrote the Tape Library system now used by Hughes Air West, which Ron confirmed. I was then assigned to compare my system with one that was used by the Hugh’s Tool Co. Also I was asked if I could be ready to make a presentation by next Thursday. I said that I was sure that I could.
Mae had Primary this afternoon but when I got home from work she still had my Temple clothes ready for me. She sure is a wonderful wife and sweetheart! I worked at the Temple this evening.
Friday, March 2, 1973
I believe that I road to work with Ron Shumway this morning, so that Mae could have the car. Mom Porter flew into Phx. Airport at 1:04PM today. Mae and the children picked her up at the airport. They also picked me up at 3PM. Mike, David and I got a hair cut at the Barbara shop and then we took the children into a photographer to get the children’s pictures taken. I set some forms for concrete for the Willie’s. I was there until 9PM. Mae, Sandy and I then went to the Lehi Day’s dance. It was 11:30PM before we got home.
Saturday, March 3, 1973
I started work at 6:30am, at the Willie’s laying a concrete pad. I finished and came home about 3:45PM. I got paid $84.00 for my time on the job. When I got home I took a nap. This evening I took Mae and Mom Porter out to dinner. When we returned home we watched some TV and visited until 11:30PM.
Sunday, March 4, 1973
During Fast and Testimony meeting, Mae, Sandy and I bore our testimonies. After dinner, I went back to the church where I did some typing. This evening Mae, Mom Porter and I went to Uncle Van and Aunt Allison’s to visit.
Monday, March 5, 1973
Today, Mae bought me a very nice shirt and tie that will match my green slacks. Today, while Mae and Mom were at the Spa, someone scrapped the side of the car, quite badly, but didn’t report it. This evening we had a very nice Family Home evening.
Tuesday, March 6, 1973
Most of our families, including Mom Porter, have had an upset stomach today. I was sure tired when I finished work today. I went to my class after work but was so tired that I left class early and came home. I went up to the Spa for a while. This evening Mom, Mae and I visited for a while before we went to bed.
Wednesday, March 7, 1973
After work and dinner, this evening I went Home Teaching. I then attended Bishopric meeting. I got home at 11:15 PM. Mae was still up working on her talk for Sunday. We all seem to be over our upset stomachs.
Thursday, March 8, 1973
At work the same group met in the conference room as met last week. The Data Processing manager turned the time over to me and as I started my presentation, the senior supervisor spoke up and said that we didn’t need a new tape library system as our computer already had a system on it that kept track of the tapes. The Department manager looked at me and said, “Is that right?” I looked at him and said that I wasn’t aware that our computer could do that. To which he just said, “It doesn’t look like you are very well prepared. This meeting will be dismissed until next week and by then I hope you will be better prepared.” I really felt embarrassed and deflated. I went back to my desk and started research on our computer system. Soon I found that it was true that whenever the computer generated a tape for storage the programmer had to give the length of time that the tape was to be stored before the tape could again be reused. When a tape was inserted into the computer the first thing the computer checked for was that the data on the tape had expired the length of time that the data on the tape was to be kept. But it did not and could not tell where the physical tape was located. That was the purpose of a Tape Library System, so that the computer operator could find the physical tape when it was needed. With-in a couple of hours, I had total evident that the Senior Supervisor was completely wrong. My goof now was that I told another co-worker what I had found out.
We had planned that after I got home from work that Mom Porter would go to the Temple with Mae and I. However Uncle Van and Aunt Allison invited Mom to come to their place for the evening. Mae and I went to the Temple anyway. Mae went through a session while I worked in the Baptistery. This evening I was assigned to be the baptizer. I preformed the baptisms for 602 people this evening. After returning home Mae and I set up and visited until uncle Van brought Mom back home.
Friday, March 9, 1973
After work and dinner we just relaxed and stayed home. After the children went to bed Mae, Mom and I played a game of Rummy. Mae then left us to study for her talk for this Sunday. Mom and I continued playing another game of Rummy.
Saturday, March 10, 1973
I tried planting one of the coco nuts that we brought home from Hawaii to see if it would sprout. Mom Porter and Mae went over to the Swap & Shop this morning. I borrowed Larry’s pickup and hauled some trash to the dumps. I had a Stake meeting to attend at 4PM. I believe that it was this meeting that Elder Perry counseled us that the most important date that we put on our weekly calendar was a date night with our wife. This evening Mae and I attended the Saturday Evening meeting of our Stake Conference. This evening Mae and I set up late visiting with Mom Porter before going to bed.
Sunday, March 11, 1973
We attended Stake Conference this morning. Sandy got to sing in the Primary Conference choir this morning. This afternoon Mae was honored in a Stake Primary meeting. They titled it as “To Know Her is to Love her”. I can certainly verify that that is true. After Sacrament meeting we took all our family for a ride and bought ice cream cones. After putting the children down this evening, Mom, Mae and I played games before going to bed.
Monday, March 12, 1973
I have been quite discouraged today. One problem was that I had miss figured our check book and we found that we were short $80.00. Work also didn’t go very well today. The meeting that was rescheduled from last Tuesday was held this morning. The Senior Supervisor would not even come to the meeting but I made my defense anyway. It was concluded that I would write a system similar to the one that I had written for Air West. This evening we held Family Home Evening and that seem to help lift my spirit. We went to bed early tonight.
Tuesday, March 13, 1973
I had school this evening after work. After class I stopped home for a few minutes and then went up to Bishopric meeting. I got home at 10:15 PM. Mae was busy sewing so Mom Porter and I played a game of rummy. Sandy gave me a picture of a cat that she had drawn in school today. It is very good!
Wednesday, March 14, 1973
I left work early because the Salt River is flooding and going over the Country Club crossing. It is also threatening the 40th Street Bridge. I went up to Opie’s to look at some remodeling that they want done. Mae finished sewing her dress this evening while Mom and I played rook.
Thursday, March 15, 1973
After work this evening, Mae, Mom Porter, Jim and Marion Fraizer went to the Temple with me. They went through a session while I worked in the Baptistery. This evening I was assigned to do confirmations. We preformed 605 names for the dead, but we were short on help this evening so it went quite slow.
Friday, March 16, 1973
After getting home from work, Mae and I went out looking at used cars. We test drove a couple of Fords but decided to wait until tomorrow to look any more. This evening we played Rummy with Mom Porter before going to bed.
Saturday, March 17, 1973
After test driving several cars we bought a 1969 Ford LTD station wagon for $2,181.00. We sold our old car for $50.00 on the trade in. This afternoon we went on a picnic with Larry and Tammy’s family. It was nice to get all our family and Mom Porter all in one vehicle and still be comfortable. This evening we again played Rummy with Mom Porter before going to bed.
Sunday, March 18, 1973
After Sacrament meeting I took the children to the park where they played while I took Mom Porter over to Uncle Van’s. On the way back I stopped and got Mae from choirs practice and then we picked the children up from the park.  They stayed for a while and joined us in playing a game of Rummy. We all enjoyed the evening.
Monday, March 19, 1973
We received our tax return in the mail today. When I got home from work there seemed to be a Spirit of contention in the house. After dinner we held a wonderful Family Home evening and the Spirit seemed to change. Mae and I decided to spend our tax refund for food storage.
Tuesday, March 20, 1973
Before I left for work this morning, Mae and I talked. I suggested that we use our income tax return to pay off the bill we owe Browning Arm’s. While I had been working for Browning Arm’s, they let employee’s purchase Browning Merchandise on account and pay whatever you could on a monthly bases. We had purchased a bow & arrow set, a camouflage suit, gloves, winter sports coat, western boots and a western felt hat. After thinking about my suggestion Mae agreed with me. I hope that is the right decision. After work I spaded the garden spot. I then went up to the church and finished with a remodeling job there.
Wednesday, March 21, 1973
This evening I attended Bishopric meeting. Most of the evening was spent in preparing for our Ward Conference. I got home about 10:45 pm. Mae was still sewing a dress for her mother.
Thursday, March 22, 1973
Mae was busy with Primary most of the day. This evening I worked at the Temple. I was assigned to baptize this evening. We did the work for 794 names this evening. That is the most that we have done since I have been assigned to work on the Thursday evening shift.
Friday, March 23, 1973
After I got home from work we took the family to the park for dinner. After eating we walked over to the Temple grounds for a few minutes. Mae and I were going to go shopping this evening so we took the children home for Sandy to tend them while we were gone. When we got home we found that Dad Porter had arrived at our place. He had driven down from Utah to spend a little while and then drive Mom back home.
Saturday, March 24, 1973
We had planned on driving to Old Tucson for the day; however Mom Porter wanted to go to a Swap Meet with Uncle Van and Aunt Allison instead. Mom and Dad spent the day with Van and Allison. Mae and I took our family up to the Pioneer Park this afternoon where they enjoyed the park and then we ate dinner there. This evening Mae and I had a Ward Conference meeting to attend. At the close of the meeting each couple was given a $1.00 as a talent and we were to decide how to use our talent to increase its value. Uncle Van brought Mom and Dad back this evening.
Sunday, March 25, 1973
Mike was up quite a bit during the night with an ear ache. Mae stayed home with him during the morning meetings and this evening I stayed home with him from Sacrament meeting. Today was our Ward Conference. Mom and Dad Porter spent the day with Uncle Van and Aunt Allison.
Monday, March, 26, 1973
While I was at work today, Dad Porter planted my garden for me. This evening we made Home Made Ice Cream to have for Family Home evening. After dinner we had a nice Family Home Evening. After the lesson was over Dad Porter told us a story. After we put the children to bed, Mae, Mom Porter and I stayed up and played Rummy.
Tuesday, March 27, 1973
Mom and Dad Porter left this morning to go home. We have enjoyed having them visit with us. After work I had school to attend. When I got home I went to the church so I could get some paper work done before we attended Priesthood Interviews with the Stake Presidency. I never got home until after 10:30PM.
Wednesday March 28, 1973
After I got home from work, all my family went to Dr, Opie’s where he gave each of us an adjustment. This evening I attended a Stake meeting at which we were outlined the agenda for Education Days. It sure sounds like they will be good. This evening Mae and I wrote letters to our parents. We also enjoyed time to visit with each other. I sure love that gal.
Thursday, March 29, 1973
Mae had Primary today, also this evening she had a special Stake Relief meeting. Mae had arranged for a sitter with the children, as this evening is my regular shift to work at the Temple in the Baptistery. When we both got home this evening, we just enjoyed visiting together for a while. We then watched a cute show on TV before going to bed. We sure enjoyed the time to be together.
Friday, March 30, 1973
At work this morning I had one of the planners stop at my desk and asked me if I know anything about tape library systems. I told him that I did as I had designed and programmed one for Hughes Air West. He got excited and said that he would be back in a few minutes. He went to my supervisor and they went to Mr. Womper, the director. A few minutes later I got a phone call asking me to come into the Directors office. Besides Mr. Womper, there were the three programing group supervisors and the planner in attendance. Mr. Womper asked about my experience in writing the Tape Library System and after explaining what I had done he asked me to compare the system that they had received from a Sister Co. in L.A. with the one I wrote for Hughes Air West. He concluded the meeting by asking me if I could be ready to report back in a week. This evening Mae and I visited the Caldwells. Mae and I then went to the hospital to visit Marion Frazier. After a short visit with Marion Mae and I then went to a show. The show wasn’t much good but it was sure nice being with my sweetheart.
Saturday, March 31, 1973
About 10:30AM Larry and I got away with his Honda motor cycles to go riding in the desert. Our family joined us about 12:30PM and brought lunch. We spent the day and evening enjoying the desert east of Mesa and on the north side of the Salt River. We got home at 7:30PM. Mae and I stayed up after getting the children to bed and watched a show on the TV.
Sunday, April, 01, 1973
Today was our regular Fast Sunday meetings. After dinner I laid down and took a nap. This evening we took all my family to get an ice cream cone. After putting the children to bed, Mae worked on Primary materials and I wrote Mom and Dad Jensen a letter.
Monday, April 02, 1973
For Family Home Evening we invited Larry, Tammy and their family to ride out to the Arizona State University Agricultural Farm so that the children could see the animals. From there we went to Larry and Tammy’s for dessert.
 We watched a movie, walked around the Temple grounds, got a root beer float and watched a second movie at the visitor center. After returning home and getting the children to bed, Mae and I just talked until quite late.
Wednesday, April 04, 1973
After getting home from work and having dinner I went Home Teaching and had a good visit with my two families. I then went directly to the Church House for Bishopric meeting. Bishop Reed and Brother Opie were out of town. Brother Trendler and I conducted Oral Evaluation with the Priesthood leaders.
Thursday, April 05, 1973
This evening I worked at the Temple. At 8:30PM Mae, Louis and DeLoy Porter picked me up and we went to a Buck Owens consort at Phoenix. It was midnight when we got home but it was a very enjoyable evening.
Friday, April 06, 1973
We didn’t do much this evening but spent a quiet evening at home.
Saturday, April 07, 1973
I got some work done around the house. I went over to Doug Caldwell’s and helped him get a garden area ready to plant. This afternoon all our family went out in the desert with Ron and Audrie Shumway’s family; and Larry and Tammy’s family.
I will insert an experience that “I believe” took place previous to this date. I had bid a job to add a patio cover to a home. The home set on a lot in which the lot tapered almost like a piece of pie. The patio had already been poured with a rectangular concrete slab attached to the back of the house. When I went to the city, too get a permit to do the job. The city denied the permit because the cover would come to close to the property line. In order to comply with the city code, the cover would have to follow the same angle as the fence line. It left the owner with the option of not extending the roof to the full end of the house or build the roof to the same angle as the fence with a corner of the slab not being covered. The 2nd was the option that the home owner chose, except he wanted the corner of the slab to be cut to the same angle also. That we agreed on and I called a concrete cutting company to cut the slab for me. After they had made the cut I went out to check the job and the cut was not a straight cut. I therefore caulked a new line for the cut to follow and called the company back. I told them that the home owner would not except such a crooked cut and told them they would have to re-cute, following my marked straight line. When I checked the cut the next day they had done a worse job than before. I first called the company and told them it was unexcitable. They said that there was not enough slab left for them to cut it straight. I called another company, explaining the previous situation and asked if they could re-cut the patio. They said they were sure they could and came out and cut a very straight cut. I paid the 2nd company and I built the cover which was accepted by the city and the home owner. As we left home to go on the trip, I stopped at a service station to fill the car and motorcycle with gas. The first fellow that I had hired to cut the concrete came over and demanded that I pay him for his work. I told him that I would not pay him and he would have to get a lawyer if he wanted. I would see him in court, before I would pay him. Now back to our trip.
We spent the afternoon riding motorcycles in the desert. After a while Mae tipped over and bruised her leg quite badly. At first we were concerned that she might have broken it. Mae didn’t feel that we needed to see a Doctor at this point so we just came home. She felt it was ok, so I went to the Stake Center to attend General Priesthood meeting.
Sunday, April 08, 1973
We slept in this morning, getting up in time to have breakfast and then watch the first session of General Conference on TV. This afternoon we attended our Ward Sacrament meeting, I then met with the Elders, followed with Mae and I attending our Wards choir practice. Next I went visiting some families with Brother Trendler. I got home in time so that we were able to listen to the afternoon session of General Conference on radio. After that Mae and I went visiting to the Frazer’s for a little while.
Monday, April 09, 1973
This afternoon Mae and the kids picked me up at work. We went to the Phoenix Zoo for Family Home Evening. They had brought a nice lunch and we all enjoyed our self. When we got home I wasn’t feeling the best but just went to bed.
Tuesday, April 10, 1973
I spent the evening fixing things around the house. I also help Sandy and Shellie with their school work. Mae and I went for a walk after getting the children to bed. We left Sandy tending them.
Wednesday, April 11, 1973
When I got home from work all our family went over to Dr. Opie. Delbert Opie is the 1st councilor in our Bishopric and professionally he is a chiropractor. He feels that everyone should have regular spinal adjustments to maintain good health. We decided to try it for a while. Bishopric meeting was canceled for tonight. That gave me the opportunity to stay home with and enjoy my family.
Thursday, April 12, 1973
Before going to work this morning, I mowed the lawn. This evening I went to the Temple where I regularly work in the Baptistery. Tonight I was assigned to be the Baptizer. We were able to perform the ordnance of baptism for 697 people that has died without being baptized while they lived here on this earth. Mae seems to always be busy, I cannot help but worry about her health both physical and mentally.
Friday, April 13, 1973
Before I left for work this morning, we heard the weather forecast for this evening. We had outdoor activities planned for this evening. The report predicted storm and wind this evening. However the Lord heard and answered our prayers for the evening was beautiful. We had planned a special Ward Temple attendance. Following the Temple session we had about 16 couples invited to our back yard for pot luck lunch. It went very well.
Saturday, April 14, 1973
I went to work for Larry today. I believe that he was having me work piece work on nailing off the siding on carport storage sheds in a sub-division he is framing. I worked 8 hours before going home. When I got home I took the tables and chairs back to the church house. We had used them for the lunching we had last night. I then showered and rested for a while. This evening I took Mae and all the children out for dinner.
Sunday, April 15, 1973
For some reason this day didn’t go very well for me. I seemed to be quite depressed with a bad attitude all day. My wonderful wife seem to be quite understanding and patiently put up with me and did everything she could to help me. I am not sure why except for some reason she sure loves me. I am so thankful for that.
Monday, April 16, 1973
Today was just opposed from yesterday and everything seemed to go so good. I called Mae and we decided to go to the park, taking our lunch and spending time there for our Family Home Evening. When I got home from work Mae had everything ready. After eating Larry and Tammy and their family joined us. We had a wonderful evening. When it got late we took our children home and got them into bed. I then helped Mae do up the dishes before we went to bed.
Tuesday, April 17, 1973
When I got home from work I mowed the lawns. After dinner I had a job to go look at. I also returned Larry’s lawn mower, which I had borrowed from him. When I got home I helped Mae with the children and wrote a letter to Bryce.
Wednesday, April 18, 1973
Larry and Tammy called us today and invited us to go to Disney Land with them this week end. We discussed the idea and decided to join them. When I got home from work I got the car ready for the trip. I attended Bishopric meeting and asked if I could be excused early, explaining our plans. I was excused and came home to help Mae get thing packed. It was after 1AM before we finished and got to bed.
Thursday, April 19, 1973
Larry and Tammy and their children and Mae and I and our family left for Los Angeles at 1:30PM. We arrived at our motel in Fullerton at 6:30PM. After getting our motel room, Larry and Tammy went to see Tammy’s sister that lives in this area. We were wall to wall sleeping but it was fun. We watched a good show on TV before going to bed.
Friday, April 20, 1973
We got everyone up early for some breakfast. That wasn’t hard to do as everyone is excited to go to Disney Land. We arrived at the park by 8:30AM. There we met Ron and Audrey Shumway and their family at the gate area, as planned. All three families enjoyed being together as we enjoyed the rides. We stayed there until 2PM and then all came back to the motels where we had lunch and let the little ones have a nap. We all went back to the Park about 5PM where we stayed, enjoying everything until after 9PM. Everyone had a wonderful day but by the time we got back to the motel rooms everyone was tired.
Saturday, April 21, 1973
This morning Ron Shumway’s family again joined us and we all went to Knox Berry Farm. I believe I enjoyed that even more than Disney Land. About 2PM we all left there and went to the Beach at Long Island where the children all enjoyed wading in the ocean and playing in the sand. We left there about 4PM and headed for home. With all three families having station wagons the children were able to sleep as we drove. We drove straight thru arriving home about 12:30AM. Arizona time.
Sunday, April 22, 1973
We slept in until 7AM leaving just enough time to make it to Sunday school. Mae gave one of the talks during the opening of Sunday school. After returning home the children found their Easter baskets and searched for Easter Eggs outside in the yard. The weather is so nice and warm. Mae then had a very nice dinner for us and following that I took a nap. The program for Sacrament meeting was a Easter Cantata, that was very good. This evening we joined the Braithwaite’s at the park, where we celebrated Lori’s Birthday.
Monday, April 23, 1973
After dinner thit evening I played with the children on the floor. We then held Family Home Evening and it went very well. Our theme was on Easter. We then road over to get a kitten but they were all gone. We were too late. After getting the children to bed, I went to bed about 9:45PM. Mae stayed up working on Primary plans.
Tuesday, April 24, 1973
After work I went to school. It was 8:30PM when I got home. I then went with the Bishopric to Priesthood Personal Interviews with the Stake Presidency. I got home about 10:30 PM. Although Mae was very tired she was still waiting up for me to get home.
Wednesday, April 25, 1973
After work I weeded our garden, fixed Mae’s toaster and then gave Mike and David a haircut. Larry and I visited for a while about the possibility of purchasing some tools and starting a business. Larry had a fellow that he seems to be well acquainted with that works for a company that manufactures parts for space missals. These parts have to fit in packing crates that will hold the part totally padded against movement while shipping. Currently the crates are costing them a great deal but as we looked at the requirements we feel that we could make them at a much lower price and still clear a very good prophet. It might be an opening to start and expand into a pretty good company. We discussed the need for nomadic mail and staple guns, also the need to find a building to work in. We agreed on a price per crate to turn in and Larry will get back to me. I helped Mae with some decorations she needs for Primary. Mae and I also talked about Larry’s proposal for some time. I think she fills better about it after our long talk.
Thursday, April 26, 1973
I went to the Temple this eveng to work in the Baptistery. Tonight I was assigned as the baptizer. We completed 659 names. It is sure an enjoyable experience. When I got home from Temple, Mae was still very busy with her Primary assignment. I picked in and helped but it was 11PM before we got to bed. I will be glad when tomorrow is over and Mae can slow down.
Friday, April 27, 1973
Mae has been busy most of the day preparing the finishing touches for the Ward Primary Miss & Mom party. Sandy and Mae attended that party this evening. They reported back that it was a very enjoyable evening. I took the boys and went over to Larry and Tammy’s. Larry has my new electric Miter Box saw and three nomadic guns, a heavy duty staple gun, a finish nail gun and a very fine finish staple gun. These are some of the latest tool on the market.
Saturday, April 28, 1973 Mike’s Birthday
I worked 5 hours for Larry this morning. Larry has his own framing company and is building homes in a subdivision. Each home has a carport and a shed attached. Larry is paying me to nail off the siding on the carport shed. It really goes quite fast with my new staple gun. When I got home I had to work on our Chevrolet Station wagon. Mae took all the children shopping for Mikes Birthday. When they got home we all went to the Phoenix Zoo. This evening Mae and I went to David Jobnston’s wedding reception. From there Mae and I went to a movie. While just teasing, I hurt Mae’s feelings and it took the rest of the evening to make her feel better.
Sunday, April 29, 1973
I attended meetings this morning. Mae, Sandy and Shellie went to a practice for the Primary program this evening. I stayed home with the boys and put them down for a nap. I then joined them, setting the alarm to wake me in tine to get them ready and go to Sacrament meeting. However, I must have set the alarm wrong because we all slept thru it, waking too late to make it to church. When Mae and the girls got home they reported that the program went well. Mae and I went for a walk this evening.
Monday, April 30, 1973
Mae was busy all day cleaning the house. Work went well for me today. This evening, following diner we held Family Home Evening. I wrote the family letter this evening. Mae is a wonderful girl and a perfect wife and Mother. It was late when we got to bed.
Tuesday, May 1, 1973
This evening I attended my last class at Mesa Community College, in Operating Systems Concepts. I am glad to have that over with. Mae worked at the Welfare center this evening. When I got home from school I figured bills. That is always a depressing job.
Wednesday, May 2, 1973
I purchased an electric lawnmower thru the parts department at Hughs Aircraft Manufacturing. I was able to get a good price, being an employee. This evening I was at the church house until 11:30PM with the Bishopric holding monthly Oral Evaluations.
Thursday, May 3, 1973
Mae got the kids a Semis kitten today, although I wasn’t too pleased with it. I worked on the Chevrolet Station wagon, removing the back seat so that I can carry tools. I then went over to Larry’s so I could use his welders. I then mounted a trailer hitch onto the car. I visited with Larry for a while before going home. It was such a nice evening that Mae and I took our mattress outside on the back lawn where we slept to night.
Friday, May 4, 1073
This evening we took the children to a drive in movie. It was late when we got home.
Saturday, May 5, 1973
I worked 9 ½ hours for Brother Barney today. When I got home, Mae and I went out to eat at the Lost Alaskan. After eating we went for a ride just to have some time to be together and visit. Mae sure is a wonderful wife and sweetheart.
Sunday, May 6, 1973
We attended all our regular Sunday meetings. Being that today is Fast Sunday we didn’t finish until 3PM. This evening Jim and Marion Fraizer, Deloy and Louis Porter came to our home. We visit for a while and then we started singing with Deloy playing his grater. It was really an enjoyable evening.
Monday, May 7, 1973
When I got home from work we mailed our Mother’s a gift. This evening we held Family Home Evening and then I took all the family out for ice cream, for our refreshments. After getting the children to bed, Mae and I wrote our Mother’s a letter. Mae and I stayed up late watching a movie on TV.
Tuesday, May 8, 1973
This evening I just spent the evening home with our family. We did take all the family for a walk and stopped at our neighbors, the Premick’s, and invited them to attend the dance festival with us on Saturday evening. After putting the younger children to bed we had Sandy stay with them while Mae and I drove to the post office and stop at the store for some milk.
Wednesday, May 9, 1973
At work this morning Ron asked me if I would like to go to lunch with him. Of course I said that I would be glad to. I think Ron really needed someone to talk with. His x-wife is taking him to court, asking for an additional $300.00 a month. That marriage sure wasn’t a good one and his present marriage isn’t much better. He said that he would never end another marriage with a divorce. He said he would either disappear or end his life. I mainly just lessoned. While we were out we also stopped at the mall and bought our wives a Mother’s Day gift. When I got home this evening I took the children shopping for a gift for Mae. (I am not sure of this next entry.) Mae and I attended a finance meeting this evening. We were late getting to bed.
Thursday, May 10, 1973
This evening Jim and Marion Frazier picked us up at 5:45PM to go to the Temple. Tonight is my assignment at the Temple so while I worked at the Baptistery while Jim, Marion and Mae went through a Endowment Session. I was the baptizer this evening and baptized youth for 399 names. I met Mae, Jim and Marion after their session and we went out to eat. Carwin and Lovene Gardner also joined us for dinner. Mea wore her long dress and looked so lovely.
Friday, May 11, 1973
I had problems at work today with a dead line that I had to meet. I was able to solve the problems before ending the day. This evening we went to a Ward picnic. (I did not record the purpose or for who we had volunteered) Tonight at 10PM I picked up two girls from Snowflake and brought them home where he put them up for the night.
Saturday, May 12, 1973
We got up at 5:30AM in order to get the two girls up to where they were to be for a practice. After getting back home I went to work for Larry for 6 hours. I then stopped to check on two other jobs. I got home about 2PM. Sandy had fallen with her bike and skinned her arm. Sandy had a piano recital that we all attended this afternoon at 5PM. This evening we took our neighbors, the Premick’s to a Church Dance Festival. I think they quite enjoyed the program.
Sunday, May 13, 1973
We attended regular Sunday meeting this morning. Shellie had a part on the Sunday school’s Mother Day program. Larry, Tammy and their family came over for dinner and spent the rest of the day with us. Mae and Tammy prepared a very nice dinner. Sandy, Lori and I did up the dishes and straightened the kitchen. I gave Mae a dress for Mothers Day. She sure is a pretty Mother and Sweethart.
Monday, May 14, 1973
Mae worked hard all day getting the house work done. This evening we held Family Home Evening. After which I called Mom and Dad Jensen. Dad Jensen is having problems with his hart and has seen a Doctor. Mom sure sounded tired this evening. We went to bed shortly after putting the children down. I sure love Mae!
Tuesday, May 15, 1973
Ron Shumway and I started work at 5:30AM, laying a block fence for Scott Fry. We worked until 7:45AM before going to work at Air Research at 8:30AM. At 4PM we left Air Research and went back over to Scott’s. We worked there until we finished the fence at 9PM. I was sure tired when I got home tonight.
Interesting Note: Ron Shumway, Scott Fry and myself all left Air West and went to work for Air Research all within a week of each other. None of us know that the others were planning to make the same move. Ron moved over as a Programming Supervisor, Scott moved over a Lead Programmer and I went over as a Programmer.
Wednesday, May 16, 1973
After leaving work at Air Research, I chased around picking up materials for a closet I am going to build for the Wolf’s. Mae and the children had gone up to Dr. Opie’s by the time I got home. When I got home I started getting our camping equipment ready to go camping this weekend.
Thursday, May 17, 1973
Mae had gone to primary by the time I got home from working at Air Research. I ate and then went to work at Wolf’s. I worked there 6 hours, getting home at 11PM. Mae had already gone to bed.
Friday, May 18, 1973
Ron and I went to work early this morning so that we could get off early this afternoon. Mae picked up all our groceries and met us at Larry’s about 2:45PM. Ron, Todd, Larry, Mike and I left about 3PM to go camping. We went to the Rim above Pason. We got the truck stuck and was unable to get it out, finally leaving it until morning.
Saturday, May 19, 1973
I got up at 5AM, built a fire and started breakfast. We again tried to get the truck out, without success. We gave up and let it sit for a while. We took the boys and went ridding on the Honda’s. We got back to camp about 11AM and worked on the truck again. This time we were able to get it out. We ate lunch and then went fishing for a while, without any luck. We gave that up and took another ride on the motorcycles. When we returned this time we packed up our camp and took one more try at fishing before we left for home. It was about 9PM before we got home. While Mike and I were gone Mae bought a new front room set.
Sunday, May 20, 1973
Our family attended Church meetings as normal today. We invited the Missionaries, Elder Waite and Elder Rees to have dinner with us. Mae of course had a lovely dinner and we enjoyed having the Elders in our home. After Sacrament meeting we went over to Jerry Hanselman’s home. He had invited us over to watch some movies. Jerry was a very special hoist, supplying all of us with Root Beer floats or any other refreshment that we wanted. He especially paid attention to the children, making sure that they enjoyed them self’s. We all had a wonderful evening.
Monday, May 21, 1973
Work went well today. After dinner this evening I went to Wolf’s and worked for 1 ½ hours. Mae has been tending Larry and Tammy’s children as Larry and Tammy have gone to Mexico to see a Doctor there that Larry has heard about. Larry keeps going but he is in constant pain from arthritis. Mae took the children to Pioneer Park for Family Home Evening. I joined them at the park later. We came home for cake and ice cream. After putting the children to bed I wrote a letter to Mom and Dad Jensen.
Tuesday, May 22, 1973
When I got home from work, we ate dinner. Mae had got a phone call from Larry, telling her that they would have to stay another day in Mexico in order to get to see the Doctor there. I went to work at Wolf’s for 4 hours this evening. Mae had the children down for the night by the time I got home. She and I set up talking for quite a while this evening.
Wednesday, May 23, 1973
After dinner this evening I went Home Teaching. I then changed clothes and went to the Wolf’s where I finished up that job. I didn’t get home until 11:30PM.
Thursday, May 24, 1973
When I came home from work today, Mae and the children were gone to Primary. After we had dinner this evening, I went over to Delbert Opie’s where I figured the cost to do some remodeling they want done. I just relaxed with my family the rest of the evening. Mae had her hair done today. She sure looks nice.
Friday, May 25, 1973
At work Ron had me go with him to Tomas mall in Phoenix. He always went there to get his hair cut at Sandy’s Barber Shop. He had talked to the owner, Sandy about some remodeling she wanted done. He had told her that I did work on the side and might be interested in doing the work for her. She needed a portion and a cabinet built. She had previously had someone finish her shop in a Chinese Cheery Tree paneling and wanted this remodeling to match. When I got back to the office, I figured the materials that I would need and made some calls about the materials. I called several lumber yards for the material and some of them remembered the paneling but didn’t carry it anymore. I finally reached one lumber yard that had 10 sheets of the paneling left. I asked him to hold it for me until I could come over and see if it was what I needed and pay him for it. He said that he would hold it for 1 hour. I jumped in my car and went right over. The lumber yard was on the north side of Phoenix and it took me 50 minutes to get there. Another man was waiting there to buy all ten sheets but the owner told him that he had promised that he would hold it for 1 hour. It was exactly what I needed and I bought 8 sheets of it at $80 per sheet. The owner of the yard told me that as far as he know, this was all that was in Arizona and if I needed more, it would have to have the 1st ply of cheery wood manufactured in China, then shipped to Washington State for the other two ply to be attached and then shipped back to China for the finish before sending it back to Arizona. Time wise would probably take 3 months and the cost would be close to $200 per sheet. I paid for it and we loaded it into the back of my station wagon. I felt like I was carrying gold.
This evening Mae and I went to the Lehi Ward Talent dinner and Dance. It was very nice and we had an enjoyable evening. It was 11:30PM when we got home and to bed.
Saturday, May 26, 1973
This morning I worked at Opie’s for 2 ½ hours. I came back home and built part of the portion for Sandy’s Barber Shop. That was the hardest thing I think I ever built. Each cut of the plywood was as nerve racking as anything I have ever done. I would measure each cut of plywood paneling, carefully mark it and then reach for the saw. Before I would turn the saw on, I would freeze up, go back and re-figure the cut and recheck the measurements. I would do that two or three times before I could make each cut. I really sweat each cut, thinking at what would happen if I made a mistake. I would wish that, just for backup, I had bought all ten sheets of paneling. This weekend is our Stake Conference so I had two meetings to attend. A Stake leadership meeting was held at 4PM and then at 7PM a meeting for all adults of the Stake. (I have a short note that a film was shown about President Lee, but I did not indicate what it covered.) After the meetings were over we got together with the Porter’s and the Fraizer’s for ice cream. Just to keep things interesting, the water pump went out on our Ford Station wagon today.
Sunday, May 27, 1973
We attended Stake Conference this morning. I hadn’t indicated just how we got there, but I believe that Jim and Marion Frazer gave us a ride. When we got home we had about decided not to go camping this evening as we had planned. Our plans were that after our meetings today, we would meet the Braithwaite’s and the Shumway’s who had gone camping yesterday. The determining factor was the station wagon. Then Jim and Marion said that they would like to go camping with us. (I am not quite sure how we got both families in their truck. We didn’t have the seat belt laws back then.) After attending meetengs we packed up and left for the camp site. It was 9:30PM when we got there. We had joined the camp site with the Braithwaite’s, the Shumway’s and the Nelson’s. They had came out on Saturday morning.
Monday, May 28, 1973
We got up early and took the children out fishing. We didn’t have any luck at that. We did enjoy riding the motor cycles and just relaxing and visiting. Braithwaite’s, the Shumway’s and the Nelson’s packed up about 4PM and left for home. The Fraizer’s and our family stayed for dinner and held Family Home evening before we left for home about 8PM. It was about 10:30PM when we got home but we did have a good time.
Tuesday, May 29, 1973
After work I bought a rebuilt water pump and put the Ford Station Wagon back together. At 9PM I attended Bishopric meeting, getting home at mid-night.
Wednesday, May 30, 1973
After work all my family went to Dr. Opie’s for treatments. Jim and Marion Fraizer went with Mae and I. we thought that we might find some peaches but that was a wild goose chase. Not having found peaches we stopped and got ice cream. We enjoy being with Jim and Marion. This evening I figured bills. That isn’t a very enjoyable thing to do. We got to bed about 11:30PM.
Thursday, May 31, 1973
After getting home from work and eating dinner I then worked on the Partitions for Sandy’s Barber Shop. Hal & Mollie Ashcraft stopped over just to visit. Mae and I set with them on the patio and just enjoyed the visit. This evening Mae and I talked a while before going to bed. We are quite sure that Mae is pregnant. That is ok with both of us.
Friday, June 1, 1973
This evening we attended a Ward Budget Dinner that went well. The only problem is that it is the same people that always come and they are also the same families that support the budget fund whether or not we have a Fund Raising activity. Well, I guess it is a good time to mingle closer with these people.
Saturday, June 2, 1973
After breakfast this morning I mowed the lawns. I then worked on the partition for Sandy’s Barber Shop. This afternoon all our family went to a Stake pot luck dinner, held at the building sight for the new Stake House. That was an exciting event but the weather didn’t corporate with the event as the wind blew quite hard. This evening we watched some TV shows as a family. Mae and I talked quite late before going to sleep. She is sure a wonderful wife.
Sunday, June 3, 1973
Some of us attended Sunday meetings this morning as Mae isn’t feeling well today. We think it is just morning sickness. Fast and Testimony meeting was very Spiritual and appropriate today. As Executive Secretary I was given the responsibility to take care of the sale of tickets for the upcoming Church Education Week. I had several people contact me for tickets today. This afternoon the Bishopric came to visit us, they asked me to speak in Sacrament meeting next week. Lois and Deloy Porter came over to visit for a little while this evening.
Monday, June 4, 1973
I bought me a new belt sander through the tool room at Air Research, paying $40.00 for it. The kids and I got into a pillow fight this evening when I got home from work. Mae is feeling quite a bit better this evening; however Sandy isn’t feeling very well now. We held Family Home Evening and then put the children to bed. Mae read for a while but I fell asleep.
Tuesday, June 5, 1973
After work I went over to Sandy’s Barber Shop and worked for a couple of hours. After getting home, Mae and I went over to Larry and Tammy’s. We ended up taking the Honda motorcycles for a ride along the canal bank. Mae isn’t feeling the best but she is sure a good sport at doing things.
Wednesday, June 6, 1973
I didn’t have much to do at work today, but made up for that after work. I helped Ron Shumway haul a load of sand to a job site. I came home and took a shower. I then went Home Teaching. While there I sold a ticket to the Education Week. I then got my ticket information compiled and got Mae to take them to the Stake Executive Secretary’s home and turn them into him. I then joined the Bishopric at the office where we held Priesthood Home Teaching reports.
Thursday, June 7, 1973
I only worked ½ a day today and took off so I could attend Education Week classes. We really enjoyed the classes we were able to attend but we were very tired when we got home. Mae is quite the gal! She has been very sick with being pregnant, but she doesn’t complain.
Friday, June 8, 1973
I only worked a half a day today so that I could attend Education Days. When I got home I found that Mae was been quite sick all day. We decided that I should go to the Education Days classes with the Frazier’s and then if Mae got feeling better she could come up and join us. Mae later came up, saying that she was feeling better. I think that was a lie but she sure tried to keep from showing how she felt. She is sure a wonderful wife and with her joining us it made it a wonderful day.
Saturday, June 9, 1973
I accomplished quite a bit this morning before taking the rest of the day to attend Education Days. We are sure enjoying these classes and feel that they are so worthwhile. Mae isn’t feeling very well but is trying not to show it. I sure do love her.
Sunday, June 10, 1973
We attended the morning meetings. When I got home I started studying for my talk and ended up rewriting it. As I gave the talk in Sacrament meeting, I felt the Spirit of the Lord with me. This evening was spent together as a family.
Monday, June 11, 1973
Mae and David went up to Dr. Opie’s for a treatment after dinner this evening. We held Family Home Evening tonight and it went fair. After we all went for ice cream cones. I finished working on a cabinet top and got the car loaded with the materials for Sandy’s Barber Shop.
Tuesday, June 12, 1973
After work I went over to the Thomas Mall where I worked on Sandy’s Barbershop. I started on some of the areas that were not in use until they closed the Barber Shop. The sink had been a self hanging sink and I had built the cabinet top so that the sink could easily be set into the cabinet. I did not have to disassemble the faucet at all form the sink with the exception of disconnecting the water supply lines and the drain. When I reinstalled the supply lines and hooked up the drain pipes, turning on the water, I had water leaks at almost every joint in the faucet and drain. I was puzzled as it was leaking where I had never even disconnected a joint. It was already late and the night watchman kept looking in the windows to see what I was doing there. Finally I gave up and left signs on the sink that they weren’t working and so I would come back when they opened in the morning and try to find the problems. It was 1:30AM when I got home, tired and discouraged.
Wednesday, June 13, 1973
I went into work as normal and then I went over to the Thomas Mall to see if I could get the sink working for Sandy. To my surprise Sandi was washing a customer’s hair in the sink. I asked Sandy what she had done to stop the leaks. She said that when she saw my signs, she just turned on the water supply and couldn’t see a leak either on the drain or on the faucet, so she used it. I didn’t have any answers. Sandy was very satisfied with my work. I sure felt good about that. When I went back to the office I found out that Ron Shumway had turned in his resignation. He has been given an offer with the Tanner Brothers Construction Co. This afternoon we took all the family to Dr. Opie. I attended Bishopric meeting this evening, not getting home until 9:30PM. We found out that Mom Porter has been in the hospital.
Thursday, June 14, 1973
After coming home from work and having dinner, I went to the Temple where I worked in the Baptistery. I was assigned as the one doing the baptizing this evening. We performed baptisms for 591 deceased individuals. I really enjoy working at the Temple weekly but I am also concerned as to the time I am not spending with my family.
Friday, June 15, 1973
After getting home from work and having dinner, we took all our family to a movie that our Elder’s Quorum sponsored. It was held in the recreation hall at the church house We all enjoyed the evening. After returning home we got the children put to bed. I then helped Mae shampoo the carpeting. Mae sure is a wonderful wife, Mother and Sweetheart. One of my greatest Blessings!
Saturday, June 16, 1973
I received a check in the mail from Thomas Mall for the amount of $167.00 (this must be wrong or I didn’t record a previous check for materials as the plywood alone cost me $640.00) for the work I did for Sandy’s Barbershop. Mae and I took $150.00 of that money and bought food storage supplies. That really felt good as our food storage has been about deleted since we left employment with the bank. This evening Mae and I went out to dinner with Larry and Tammy. It was good to spend the evening with Larry and Tammy.
Sunday, June 17, 1973
I attended Stake Priesthood meeting at 7AM. When I got home Mae and my children met me with hugs & kisses & a Father’s Day song. After Sacrament meeting this evening, DeLoy and Lois Porter came over. We visited, sang around the piano and then played a game of Rook.
Monday, June 18, 1973
This evening we got a call from Mae’s parents. It was good to hear that Mom Porter is feeling much better. She is home from the hospital. ( From our memory, this must have been the time when Mom had an appendicitis attack and her appendix burst before they got her to the hospital). We held Family Home Evening after dinner. We had a nice time together.
Tuesday, June 19, 1973
I received a phone call from work informing me that a main transformer had gone out so I should not come into work today. We turned the alarm off and slept in. I had a couple of small items to finish at Thomas Mall so took Mae with me. After doing those items I took Mae out to dinner. When we got back home I build some shelves in our storage room. I then took all my family swimming and had a good time. It has been a great day.
Wednesday, June 20, 1973
When I got home from work and we had eaten dinner, we went over to Larry’s where I picked up the Honda 350cc motorcycle that I am going to buy from Larry. When we got it home I took all the children for a ride on it. Doug and Joan Caldwell came over for a few minutes this evening just to visit. Mae and I were up until mid-night getting things ready for Shellie’s Birthday tomorrow.
Thursday, June 21, 1973
I rode the motorcycle into work this morning. I took off work early this afternoon so that we could take all the children to the park for Shellie’s Birthday. Larry, Tammy and their children all joined us. After eating I went to the Temple to work in the Baptistery.
Friday, June 22, 1973
I rode my motorcycle into work this morning. Ron Shumway officially quite Hughes Air Research today. I am very sorry to see him leave but hope this job with Tanner Construction will work out for him. After I got home from work and we had dinner, Mae and I went to the Temple. While I worked in the Baptistery, Mae went through a Session. After we both finished we went into the dining room and had soup. We really enjoyed the evening.
I don’t know if I have explained the situation at Air Research or not so I will insert it here. Air Research is one of the many companies owned by the Howard Hughes Corporation. As far as I have gathered Hughes Air Research developed and manufactured turbo jet engines. The Data Processing department, where both Ron and I worked, consisted of a Planning Department that coordinated between the Data Processing Department and the users throughout the rest of the company. We had three sections of programmers, each having a Supervisor with about 5 programmers under them. Ron had filled the position of supervisor of Group 2. I work in Group 3, under John Brown as my supervisor, and then there was the Supervisor over Group 1. Over the three programming Supervisor, was the Data Processing Manager. I never did understand what authority the Group 1 supervisor had but he seem to be the one that had most of the authority, even over the D.P. Manager. I never did feel that Ron felt like he had much authority and so when this position with Tanner’s opened up Ron jumped for it.
Saturday, June 23, 1973
I didn’t do a lot except putter around the house and yard. I did repair some drawers for our Ward’s Library. I guess I got teasing Mae and went too far when sprayed her with the hose. She got quite upset with me. This afternoon we went to the Kino swimming pool swimming. Mae and I watched a good movie on TV before going to bed.
Sunday, June 24, 1973
This morning we attended our regular Sunday meetings but this evening we attended the Mesa 19th Ward. Jeff Bushnell gave his Missionary Fare Well address as he is leaving to accept a mission call. The meeting was also a Fare Well to all the rest of the family as Uncle Van has accepted a position at Cedar collage. They will soon be moving to Utah. Susan came home with us so she could spend the night with Sandy.
Monday, June 25, 1973
When I got home from work there was a call asking me to return to work. I did and I didn’t get back home until 10PM. Mae took the children to the Temple Visitor’s Center for Family Home Evening.
Tuesday, June 26, 1973
After getting home from work, all my family went over to Dr. Opie’s for treatments. After dinner this evening Mae and I went over to visit with the Premak’s. We invited them to learn more about the Mormon Church. They excepted the invitation and we set up an appointment for next Sunday at 7PM. I attended Bishopric meeting this evening and didn’t get home until late.
Wednesday, June 27, 1973
I left work about noon so that we could go Camping with the Braithwaite’s, the Shumway’s and the Nelson”s. We were packed and left about 4PM and got to the camp site about 8PM. We had some problems with our car over heating on the way. With this Arizona heat and the car being old, that wasn’t too surprising.
Thursday, June 28, 1973
We slept well and got up to a beautiful day. After breakfast we went riding on the motor cycles. We returned for lunch and then road some more. There was a nice creek nearby so most of us went in swimming and used a little soap while there. The Warner’s came up and joined our group this evening. David was also quite sick with Flew like Simpsons this evening. He kept us up quite a bit during the night.
Friday, June 29, 1973
This morning after breakfast all the men took the motor cycles out for a ride. We came upon a herd of elk and so started chasing them. At one time I looked at the speed-o-meter and I was going over 30 miles per hour. It was surprising that none of us got hurt or damaged the bikes as we were going through some very wild timber. The elk soon found a canon and disappeared over the edge. We also did some riding this afternoon. We got playing around the creek and Sue Warner ended up being thrown into the water. Ron Shumway and Joe Nelson drove into town this evening for some supplies.
Saturday, June 30, 1973
This morning for breakfast we had sausage, biscuits and gravy. Most of us went out riding motorcycles and came back to camp for lunch. We again went out riding after lunch. We stopped at a creek and got in a water fight, with most everyone getting wet. We packed up and left camp about 7PM, getting home about 10:30PM. We were tired but it has been a great time.
Sunday, July 1, 1973
We slept in this morning, still being quite tired from the trip. I took Sandy and Shellie up to Sunday school and then I went into the Bishops office where I took care of some work there. Mae came up to the Church in time to attend Sacrament meeting with us. Following the meetings we came home for dinner. After dinner we put the younger children down for a nap and Mae and I also laid down. At 7PM the Premaks came over and met the full time missionaries and lessened to the first lesson.
Monday, July 2, 1973
After work Mae and I had our picture taken as Mae had a special offer from Olan Mills photography. When we returned home we held Family Home Evening with our children and had a very nice time. We then spent the evening playing with the children. After putting the children to bed Mae and I stayed up and wrote letters to our parents. We are seriously thinking about moving back to Utah.
Tuesday, July 3, 1973
(I made an entry in My Diary, that I called and talked to Carroll and Sandy from work, but didn’t give any more explanation.) This evening we didn’t do much as is so hot outside. We did find a couple of good movies on TV to watch. Sandy was asked to baby sit this evening. I believe this is the first time she has done that for pay.
Wednesday, July 4, 1973
Mae, Mike and I went up to the church, at 5AM, for the Flag Raising ceremony and breakfast. Sandy hadn’t got home from Baby Sitting until mid-night, so we let her, Shellie and David sleep in. Mae and I took a nap when we returned. Mae, Sandy and Shellie went shopping this afternoon and I stayed home with the boys. This evening we took all the family over to Tempe to see the Fire Works.
Thursday, July 5, 1973
This evening I went to the Temple as normal to work in the Baptistery. When I went to the East door, where we normally enter, no one answered the door bell, plus the lights were off. I therefore went around the Temple to the main entrance. I walked through the hallway to the Baptistery and as I passed the Temple Secretary’s office I gave a “Good Evening” and went on to the Baptistery. All the lights were off and no one was in the area. I presumed that I must just be a little early so I started getting out the carpets and towels to be ready. The Temple Secretary then appeared and asked me what I was doing here? I just answered with, “What I normally do on Thursday evening. He then asked if I didn’t get the call that no one was coming this evening for baptisms. I told him that I hadn’t been informed, so I would put things back then and go home. A couple of minutes later he reappeared and said that a couple from Philadelphia had just came to the Temple to do some work for deceased family. They would need to do the Baptisms and Confirmations tonight, before they could take care of the rest of the ordnances tomorrow. I therefore got thing ready. I performed the baptizing, with the Temple Secretary and I signing as witness, then I Confirmed membership and gave the Gift of The Holy Ghost, and again the Temple Secretary and I signing as witness. With that work done, I then cleaned up the area, turned off the lights and went home. What a wonderful experience that was. I spent the rest of the evening relaxing with my family.
Friday, July 6, 1973
Mae called me at work to let me know that we are overdrawn on our checking-account. I took off work and came home to see what we can do. We are also having troubles with our car. I think the problem is in the ignition switch. This evening we attended a session at the Temple with Jim and Marion Frazer.
Saturday, July 7, 1973
I went to work today to make up for the day off on the 4th. After getting home I tried to find the trouble with the car. For some reason the wiring to the ignition switch is heating up. Our TV also went out, so I tried to fix that and only made it worse.
Sunday, July 8, 1973
I went to the Church Office fairly early and didn’t get home until 1PM. We attended Sacrament meeting this evening as a family. This evening after getting the little ones to bed, Sandy played the piano while Mae and I did some reading.
Monday, July 9, 1973
After I returned home from work and after having dinner, we held our Family Home Evening. We had a very enjoyable time. After the lesson we played games and had refreshments.
 Mae took all the children into Dr. Opie for treatments. He feels that regular adjustments is a key to keeping good health, I’m not sure about that. Danial Price called and would like me to look at a remodel job he needs done. I met him out at the job site in Apache Junctions. He bought a home that was damaged by a flash flood. His masonry crew had repaired the walls, but he now needed a couple of rooms re-sheet rocked. I took on the job. This evening I asked Lanny Owens to assist me in Administering to David. We don’t know where else to turn to for help but the Lord. This evening I mailed out some resume’s to Utah.
Wednesday, July 11, 1973
Mae and I were up most of last night with David. We had a company put a thermostat on our air conditioner today. They charged us $50 for the installation. This evening I had planned on going Home Teaching but Bishop Rice call, being concerned that we were late getting our report into the Stake, so I went up to the office. Everything was ok. This evening we held our monthly oral evaluation with the Priesthood leaders.
Thursday, July 12, 1973
This evening I went to the Temple to work in the Baptistery and Mae went to the Genealogy Library. She met me when I finished and we went to the cafeteria at the Temple and had a bowl of soup together. Sandy tended the children while we were gone. She is becoming a very good baby tender.
Friday, July 13, 1973
Work went much better at work today as I had some work to accomplish. Since coming to work for Air Research I have had very little to do and that has been difficult for me to just waist time. This evening Mae and I again attended the Temple as it was scheduled as our Ward Temple night. There wasn’t very many from our Ward that attended but for those that did attend, after the session we met at Phil Allen’s home and had watermelon together.
Saturday, July 14, 1973
I worked 10 hours for Danial Price today sheet rocking the house in Apache Junction. Mike and Shellie attended a Birthday party today. Mae was busy most of the day cutting material for her some maternity clothes. I went to bed early, being quite tired this evening.
Sunday, July 15, 1973
We attended our church meetings throughout the day. Mae cooked a very nice Sunday dinner for us today. This evening we, as a family, walked over to Primac’s for a few minutes, just to visit. I played a game of Rummy with Sandy before she went to bed.
Monday, July 16, 1973
After coming home from work and eating dinner I went to up to Dr. Opie’s for a treatment. Mae took the children over to Larry and Tammy’s for Family Home Evening. They went swimming. After my treatment at Dr. Opie’s I went out to Bishop Price’s house in Apache Junction and worked on it until 1 AM.
Tuesday, July 17, 1973
I had planned on working for Larry this evening but he wasn’t able to get things lined up for me. It seemed that almost everything I tried to do this evening didn’t work out. I have been quite discouraged today. Mae is sure a wonderful wife and does so much to help me.
Wednesday, July 18, 1973
After work this evening I bought an ignition switch for the car. I replaced the switch when I got home. That took care of the problem with the car starting. Mae took David into Dr. Shill. Dr. Shill is the Bishop of the Lehi 3rd so we know him very well. Mae told me that when she got to the Dr. office the nurse took Mae and David into the room and had her strip David off. She then said that when Dr, Shill came in he said Hi to her and the next words were “That child has tonsil and annoy problems.” He said that they would have to be removed and set an appointment for August 28th. He also told Mae that David had to be well for at least 2 weeks prior to that date. Mae explained that we didn’t think David had been well for two week at a time since he had been born. Dr. Shill said that we should not let visitors in the house or take David out of the house for the two weeks prior to the operation. I took all my family out to dinner this evening. We also received my families letter today.
With our moving to Arizona, that has left Mom and Dad Jensen living in Idaho, Bob’s family and Margaret’s family living in Utah, Roy’s family in California and Irven’s family in Washington. We therefor started the idea, of writing a (rotating family letter). When you received the letter, you would remove the last letter that you wrote, read all the rest of the letters, insert a new letter you would write and send the letters on to the next family. This way we would be able to keep in touch and up to date with all our family. Today the letter came to us, making the first complete circle. We sure enjoyed reading all the letters.
Thursday, July 19, 1973
Tammy had been asked to be a leader at the Ward’s Girl Camp this year and so had asked Mae if she would tend their children while she was gone. Of course Mae had said that she would and so Tammy had brought Lori, Holley and Jody over. Lonny stayed with Larry. Larry would take Lonny with him to work. Lonny enjoyed being with his dad. This evening I worked at the Temple. Tonight I was asked to be one of the Witnesses to the Baptisiams. That possession is probably the least enjoyable as you just listen to the wording and see that the proxy is completely submerged at the end of the prayer. I have trouble keeping awake. On the way home from the Temple I stopped at the Oppie’s to figure the materials I would need to do a small remodeling job for them.
Friday, July 20, 1973
I took off work an hour early so that I had time to pickup materials for the Opie job. This evening we took all the children to a Ward movie night. The movie was “Pollyanna”. We all enjoyed the movie, but it was after 11pm when we got home.
Saturday, July 21, 1973
I worked at Opie’s about 9 hours today. After dinner this evening I laid down for a nap. At 9pm Mae went with me and we went over to Air Research, where I checked on one of my projects. I called and visited with Bob and also Mom while I was there. On the way back home, I stopped at a Big Boy and bought Mae a treat. I sure enjoy being with Mae, no matter what we are doing.
Sunday, July 22, 1973
We attended meetings this morning. We had invited the full time missionaries over for dinner with us, but when we got home we found out the meat hadn’t cooked. I called it an emergency and ran over to Kentucky Fried Chicken and bought a bucket of chicken. Dinner went well. This afternoon when it was time to leave for Sacrament meeting, David, Mike and Jody were still asleep. I stayed home to be with them and let Mae, Sandy and Lori attend Sacrament meeting. Mae was in charge of the Primary Graduation program this evening so she needed to be there. Mae reported to me after returning home that the program went well.
Monday, July 23, 1973
This afternoon we took the family over to Larry and Tammy’s for and went swimming. We came home for a light dinner and held Family Home Evening. It was after 9PM when we finished. Being that we were all tired we soon went to bed.
Tuesday, July 24, 1973
After eating dinner this evening, all the family went up to Dr. Opie’s for treatments. This evening Sandy and the rest of the children put on a 24th of July parade, and did a very good job with it. I took David with me to Ernest Johnson’s where I replaced a door for them. Mae and the rest of the children played game while we were gone.
Wednesday, July 25, 1973
Mae and I believe Marion Fraizer, went out to a grape farm where they were able to glean grapes from the vineyard. Mae picked 165 lb of grapes. After eating dinner, we picked the grapes from the stems. We worked on them until almost 10PM. We put most of them upon the roof to dry for raisins, the rest Mae put in the freezer.
Thursday, July 26, 1973
I worked at the Temple this evening. We performed the baptisms and confirmations for 741 individuals this evening. Larry talked to me and would like me to come to work for him. It would mean quite a large increase in pay. I am not sure just what I should do. I am quite unhappy with the work situation that I am now in at Hugh’s Air Craft. It has turned quite bad since I stood up to one of the supervisors. I don’t know what power he has over the Data Processing manager, but my usefulness for the company has sure come to a halt. I guess I teed off the wrong person.
Friday, July 27, 1973
I have thought about Larry’s offer most of the day. I visited with Ron about it, while at work and he didn’t have any suggestions for me. After dinner this evening I went Home Teaching with Travis Reis. I stopped and had a talk with Bishop Reis, about Larry’s offer and he couldn’t give me much to think about either. I am not sure but I don’t think I will do it.
Saturday, July 28, 1973
I figured bills this morning and they aren’t looking very good. I went up to Opie’s to work but I couldn’t get the material that Sister Opie wants, so couldn’t get much done there. Mae and I talked about our bills, my job at Air Research and the offer that Larry is making us. We are just not quite sure but maybe that would be for the best. We went to the Ward 24 of July party. Sandy got all the children dressed up and they entered the parade contest. They won 1st place. We were very proud of them and felt that Sandy deserved all the credit.
Sunday, July 29, 1973
We attended our meeting this morning and evening, although Mae isn’t feeling very well. I was in the office, at the church house, most of the morning. After dinner, Mike, David, Mae and I took naps. This evening we went over and visited with Jim, Marrion and Malinda. I still have an undecided feeling about the job offer with Larry.
Monday, July 30, 1973
After I got home from work, Larry came over and helped me move our freezer into the boy’s bedroom. We then went over to Larry and Tammy’s for dinner and Family Home Evening. We then went for a swim in their pool. They have a large plastic pool that is quite large. Larry and I talked more about me coming to work for him. I just wish that I could get a good feeling about it.
Tuesday, July 31, 1973
This morning we made the decision to accept Larry’s offer to go to work for him. I turned in my two week notice of quitting Air Reasearch this afternoon before leaving work for the day. I sure hope we are making the right decision. I played with the kids on the floor this evening before putting them to bed.
Wednesday, August 1, 1973
After getting home from work, I went up to Opie’s and set a couple of windows. Mae went to Phoenix today to select some proofs from a photographer that took pictures of our children. She also bought some shoes for the children. I went to the Bishops office where we held Oral Evaluations with the Priesthood Leaders. It was 11pm before I got home. Gratitude
Thursday, August 2, 1973
When I got home from work, I found that the power was off all over the area. Mae told me that from what she had found out, the power will be of for the next 24 hours. I made arrangements with Larry to borrow a generator. However when I got back with a generator, the power was back on. I went to the Temple and worked in the Baptistery, as normal this evening. Mae sure is a wonderful wife and sweetheart.
Friday, August 3, 1973
After work we took the children over to Larry and Tammy’s for the week end. Mae and I then drove to Lake Side, Arizona to attend the Joseph Lee Robinson Family Reunion. We were able to stay the night in a trailer at Ben and Fran Hansen’s. Mom and Dad Porter were there and they had made the lodging accommodations for us.
Saturday, August 4, 1973
When we got up, we joined the Joseph Lee Robinson family reunion. Joseph Lee Robinson was Mae’s Great Grandfather on her Father’s side. After a very nice breakfast, they held a Family Meeting. Elder LaGrand Richards of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles presided over that meeting and was the main speaker. What a thrill that was to be there. A few weeks ago, as Mae and I were visiting, we commented that most everyone in the Ward were related one to another except for us. At this reunion we found that there at the family reunion we know many from our Ward and also from our Stake. Following the meeting, there was a fun rodeo and then lunch. Mae and I took a nap after lunch. This evening we enjoyed a dance and a nice program.
Sunday, August 5, 1973
This morning they held a Priesthood meeting and Relief Society meeting, followed with Sunday School. Elder LaGrand Richards again spoke for most of the time and of course that was thrilling to be there. We followed that meeting with a testimony meeting. We then had a nice lunch and after that we broke up and everyone started for home. Mom and Dad Porter followed us home. After getting home I helped Mae get things packed for her and the children, then I packed everything into our station wagon, plus a few things in Mom and Dad’s car.
Monday, August 6, 1973
This morning Mae, my children, Mom and Dad Porter left for Utah. Mae drove our station wagon and follow Mom and Dad. This way they have plenty of room for everyone. It will also give Mae a car while she is in Utah. She is going to help with Georgia’s wedding plans and preparations. It will also give us transportation to return to Utah when I Fly up for the Wedding. I have an uneasy feeling about this trip but just hope that it is just me. After getting home from work, I worked at Opie’s for a while. Larry called me this evening and told me that if I come to work for him, that the insurance he carries with his company, will cover David. Insurance coverage was one of the concerns we had about going to work for Larry.
Tuesday, August 7, 1973
After work I went to Dr. Opies for a treatment. When I got home I tried to call Mae but the phone just rang busy. I then went over to the Caldwell’s and cut some doors off for them. When I got back home I again called Mae and was able to get thru to her that time. We had a good talk. It is sure lonely here without my family.
Wednesday, August 8, 1973
Work went well although I am just trying to finish up projects that I have been working on. This evening I went over to the Opie’s and worked on some remodeling for them. When I got home I tried to work on our TV but I didn’t have any success. This house is sure lonely.
Thursday, August 9, 1973
This evening I went over to Larry and Tammy’s. Larry, their children and I went in for a swim. Tammy had to go to a Shower, but soon came back.  We got playing around and I throw Tammy into the pool. It was a fun evening. This afternoon I bought 50 lb of flour for storage.
Friday, August 10, 1973
I quit working for Air Research today. The department employees gave me a $30 gift certificate towards some Red Wing work boots. I stopped on the way home and bought the boots. I also bought a saw and some work clothes on the way home. I took our TV into a shop to get it repaired. This evening I went over to Larry and Tammy’s where we watched some TV and took a short swim.
Saturday, August 11, 1973
I went to work at Opie’s at 5AM, working until 8:15 AM when I came home to get some breakfast. While home I called Mae. I sure miss Mae and the children. I went back to work and worked until 2PM. When I got home I cleaned up the house and washed some clothes. I went back over to Larry and Tammy’s were we went for a swim and watched some TV.
Sunday, August 12, 1973
I attended morning meeting as normal. Doug and Joan Caldwell invited me over for dinner and a nice visit with them. After attending Sacrament meeting, Jim and Marion Frazer invited me to their place for a nice super and a visit with them. I was there until 9:30 PM before going home to sleep.
Monday, August 13, 1973
I started working for Larry Braithwaite this morning. Work went well and I feel we accomplished quite a bit. This evening Deloy Porter and I were invited to join the Opie family for dinner and Family Home Evening. Deloy’s family are also out of town and the Opie’s took pitty on the two of us. After a nice picnic dinner at Finch Park, we played racket ball. That was a first for me. When I got home I had a letter from my sweetheart and family in the mail box. I sure miss having them home.
Tuesday, August 14, 1973
Work went well today although we were held up due to not having enough doors on the job. On the way home from work, I picked up our TV from the repair shop. I watched some TV and also wrote a letter to my family. I sure miss having them being away from home.
Wednesday, August 15, 1973
Work went well today. Larry and Tammy invited me over to their place for dinner this evening. I am afraid our refrigerator is about out. It is not keeping food cool anymore. I don’t know where I will get the money to buy another one. I sure miss Mae and the children.
Thursday, August 16, 1973
Work went well again. After getting home from work, I cleaned up the house and then mowed the lawn. I called Dad Jensen to wish him a happy Birthday. Mom wasn’t there as she had gone to Utah because Margaret is having problems again. I am sure lonely without my family at home.
Friday, August 17, 1973
Work went well today. After I finished work I went to the lumber yard and picked up materials to build some cabinets for Sister Hasting’s. (I believe that Sister Hasting’s is the Sister that works at the Temple as the cook in the cafeteria.) This evening Larry and Tammy; Ron and Audry; and I went out to eat at the Golden Coin, a restraint here in Mesa. I am sure lonesome without Mae and my children.
Saturday, August 18, 1973
I started work at Sister Hasting’s at 5:30AM. I put a new counter top on the kitchen cabinets and built a Spice cabinet for her. I didn’t finish the job until 9PM. I was sure tired when I got home.
Sunday, August 19, 1973
I attended meetings this morning. Jim and Marion invited me over for dinner with them. They are sure good people and friends. After Sacrament meeting I drove up to the hospital and visited Carrie Essley. I believe that the Essley’s were one of my Home Teaching families. I then went back to the church house and worked in the office quite late but went home before 9PM. Mae called me at 9PM. I sure enjoyed talking to her and missssss her lots!
Monday, August 20, 1973
After work I stopped and bought me a new watch. My old one just simply stopped working. This evening Larry and Tammy invited me to have dinner and Family Home Evening with them. Afterwards, Larry and I went in for a swim. I sure miss not having my family with me. I don’t think we will do this again, at least I hope not.
Tuesday, August 21, 1973
After getting home from work, I cleaned up the refrigerator and took it into the shop to see if they could repair it. I then went over to Larry and Tammy for dinner. I then helped Larry work on his car and truck. It was 11:30PM before I got home and to bed.
Wednesday, August 22, 1973
After finishing work, I went over to Larry’s and again helped him with his car. I cleaned up the house when I got home and then packed my clothes so I can for Utah in the morning. I am sure getting excited to see Mae and the children again.
Thursday, August 23, 1973
This morning I caught the 7AM flight to Salt Lake on Hughs Air West. Mae and my children met me at the airport shortly after 9AM. From the Airport we drove into Salt Lake where we had an appointment with Dr. Stutsnigger, a family dentist. He worked on all of us. From there we drove to Bob and Carroll’s home in Sunset. The children and I stayed there and visit while Mae went to a hair appointment. This evening Mae and I went to the Salt Lake Temple to be with Georgia. Georgia is taking out her own Temple Endowments this evening. It is sure great to be back with my family again.
Friday, August 24, 1973
This morning we again attended the Salt Lake Temple again to witness the marriage of Georgia and Rick. Georgia Porter and Richard Tew were married and sealed as Husband and Wife for Time and All Eternity with Hartman Rector Jr. of the 1st Council of 70’s officiating. Elder Rector was Rick’s mission president in Germany. Elder Rector gave them great counsel prior to performing the ceremony. It was good to be there and realize that each of us should take that counsel personally. Following the Temple ceremony, pictures and a wedding breakfast, we returned to Mom and Dad’s home. I then went over with Bob at his bakery and tried to give him some help. I was probably more in the way than a help. This evening there was a very nice reception given in Honor of the marriage of Rick and Georgia. Mae, Sandy and Shellie were also honored to be invited to stand in the reception line. What a wonderful day.
Saturday, August 25, 1973
We slept in until 8:30AM before getting up. We then went over to Bob and Carroll’s about 10:30AM. Mom and Dad Jensen, Margaret and Sandy were already there. Bob had gone into his Bakery about 4AM as normal, so I went over to see if I could help him. When I came back, Linda, Jerry, Irven, Rich and Lois had arrived. We had a good time mainly just visiting along with playing a few games. I think we had left our children at Mom Porters today. This evening Mae and I went back to her parents and packed the car for the return trip. It was 11:30PM before we got to bed.
Sunday, August 26, 1973
We had planned on leaving for home by 6:30AM but we slept in and didn’t leave until 7:30AM. We then couldn’t get gas until almost 9AM. That was one thing we had left out of the planning as we should have filled the tank yesterday. We stopped several times during our trip home. Besides bathroom breaks, fuel stops, I think we also made a couple of recreation stops. We had a nice and a safe trip home getting there about 11:30PM. It was just good to bring my Family into our home and put everyone down to sleep in their own beds.
Monday, August 27, 1973
Mae got Sandy and Shellie registered into school, Sandy in the 6th grade and Shellie in the 1st grade. We took David into Dr. Shield to give him an examination. He instantly recognized that David needed to have his Tonsils removed. He scheduled the operation for 18th of September. He said that David had to be completely well for a two weeks prior to the operation. I told Dr. Shield that David had never been well for two weeks at a time since he was born. He said that we should not take him out of the house and not let anyone come to visit until after the operation. One thing that I recognized this evening is that it is sure good to have my family home! We had a nice Family Home Evening tonight and at the end, I gave Sandy and Shellie a blessing. Mae also felt that she would like one, so I was honored to give her a Blessing also. Just before putting the children to bed, David dropped a can of vegetables on his toe. I had to take him into the hospital to get it lanced.
Tuesday, August 28, 1973
After work I went over to the shop and got our refrigerator. It cost $59.00 to have it repaired. After dinner I took a nap for a little while before going to a meeting at 9PM. Mae also had a meeting this evening.
Wednesday, August 29, 1973
After coming home from work, Mae and I went grocery shopping. We then stopped at a drive in and bought sea burgers for dinner. When we got home I found that the kitchen sink was plugged up, so I went to work on that problem.
Thursday, August 30, 1973
I came home from work early but spent the rest of the day trying to unplug the drains in our house. I did go out Home Teaching and was able to visit all my families for the month.
Friday, August 31, 1973
After getting home from work and having dinner, I took Mae out to a show. We had a very nice time together. Mae is sure a wonderful person and couldn’t be better to me.
Saturday, September 1, 1973
We had a relaxing morning. I mowed the lawns and Mae came out and trimmed for me. I built some toys for the children this afternoon. I also cut Mike and David’s hair. This evening we watched TV as a family. It has been a very enjoyable day relaxing and being with my family.
Sunday, September 2, 1973
To day I taught Sister Essley’s Sunday school class for her. This afternoon in Fast and Testimony meeting Mae, Sandy and Shellie each bore their testimonies. We invited the Fraizer’s over for the evening. Mae lost the cap on her front tooth.
Monday, September 3, 1973
Although today is Labor Day, I went to work feeling that I couldn’t afford to take a day off. After returning home we took the children to the park where we ate dinner and enjoyed the evening as a family. When we returned home I went to bed feeling quite tired. Mae sure is a wonderful wife and sweetheart.
Tuesday, September 4, 1973
After coming home from work, I went up to Opie’s where I work for a couple of hours. Mae went into the dentist and had her tooth fixed. To our surprise it he only charged us $8.00. We spent the rest of the evening watching TV.
Wednesday, September 5, 1973
After returning home from work and after dinner, I went up to the chapel where we held Priesthood Personal interviews. I didn’t get home until 11:30PM.
Thursday, September 6, 1973
I worked 10 hours today. Larry gave me a $25.00 a week raise starting next week. This evening I went to the Mesa Temple where I work in the Baptizer each week. Tonight I was assigned to be the Baptizer and we performed Baptisms for 384 names. Mae had hurt her back while I was gone this evening.
Friday, September 7, 1973
When I woke this morning, it felt like I had something in my eye. I had Mae look into my eye but she couldn’t find anything. It bothered me enough that I stopped at the hospital and had them look for something. They also could not find anything. My eye bothered me all day. This evening we took our family to the movie. We saw two shows, “One Little Indian and The Lady and The Tramp”. We enjoyed both features.
Saturday, September 8, 1973
I went to work for Larry this morning and worked for 3 hours. On the way home I stopped at Dr. Opie’s office and got a treatment. After I got home, Mae and I went looking at some homes for sale. This evening Mae and I went out to eat with DeLoy and Lois Porter. We had a very enjoyable evening.
Sunday, September 9, 1973
We attended our meetings as normal today. I taught the Sunday school class for Sister Essley again today. This evening we went for walk as a family.
Monday, September 10, 1973
This evening we had Larry and his family over for dinner. Mae had prepared a very nice dinner. We enjoy the friendship we have with Larry, Tammy and their family. After they left for home, we held a nice Family Home Evening before putting the children to bed. Mae and I watched a show on TV and then we visited until after 11PM. I sure love my sweetheart and wife.
Tuesday, September 11, 1973
Doug Caldwell came over this afternoon and took Mae and I to see a home in our area that we could trade our home equity onto it. We were quite impressed with the home. We then looked at plans on a new home, but we feel it would be out of our range. This evening I went Home Teaching. Later Doug returned and we wrote up an offer on the home he had shown us earlier.
Wednesday, September 12, 1973
After I got home from work, Mae and I took a walk over to look at the house we are interested in buying. We then took our family to join with the Braithwaite’s at Pioneer Park for a Birthday Party for David and Jody. This evening at 8PM Brother Bailey came over to our home to talk to me about a fellowshipping program. Doug Caldwell stopped by at 9PM with more information and papers on the house.
Thursday, September 13, 1973
On the way home from work I stopped and bought paint for the inside of our home. Mae has been cleaning out closets as well as the rest of the home. She then attended Primary. This evening I again worked in the Baptistery at the Temple. We put our home up for sale in the news paper today.
Friday, September 14, 1973
After getting home from work, I worked on repairing the closet doors in the children’s bedrooms. We then all relaxed and watched a program on TV. Jim and Marion stopped by with a pizza and salad to shear with us. We visited for a while with them.
Saturday, September 15, 1973
We got an early start painting the inside of the house. Sandy helped us all day long and was sure a good worker and she was also very tired when she quite to go to bed. Mae and I continued and didn’t finish up until 1AM. It’s been a long day. I am concerned about Mae being ok.
Sunday, September 16, 1973
This morning I went into Executive Leadership meeting and then to Priesthood meeting. (I am going to add an experience that I had in one of the High Priest Quorum meeting, not sure when it occurred but it did take place while we lived in Lehi. The Brother that was giving the lesson commented that Damnation was not Eternal. I questioned the statement asking what he meant. He then said that we didn’t know how long it would last but it would not continue forever. I again questioned that “Eternal Damnation” meant just that, forever is Eternal. We got in quite an argument and it became a little heated, until I finally just shut up and let it go.) After those meetings ended I came home and we put the house back together. Larry and Tammy’s then invited our family to come over for dinner. While the kids were playing outside, Mike fell on their trampoline and cut his head. We had to take him into the hospital where they took three stitches above his eye.
Monday, September 17, 1973
I left work 2 hours early so we could take David into the Hospital. My entry for this day doesn’t give much detail and we are not quite sure what happened. To the best of our recollection, this was for a Tonsillectomy. Dr. Shield would have been the Doctor that operated on David. However, there are some details that doesn’t work out quite right. I spent the evening with David. Mae brought the children up to the hospital to see David about 7:30PM. David didn’t want to stay the night but when we explained that it was necessary, he accepted it without a fuss.
Tuesday, September 18, 1973
I took the day off work so I could be at the hospital with David. At 8AM they came and got David for the operation. By 10:30AM they brought him back to the room. Mae had come to the hospital shortly after he had gone into the operating room. She stayed the afternoon with him. I went home to be with the other children and then I came back at 7PM to stay the night. Mae went home to be with the other children during the night.
Wednesday, September 19, 1973
We were able to bring David home from the hospital this morning. I finished mowing the lawn this evening. Brother Bailey gave Mae and I the 2nd Finding lesson tonight.
Thursday, September 20, 1973
Larry has me working on the West side of Phoenix, so we leave for work at 5AM, getting home about 4:30PM. It makes for a pretty long day. This evening I went to the Mesa Temple to work in the Baptistery. Tonight I was selected to confirmer. We did the work for 896 individuals.
Friday, September 21, 1973
Mae let Sandy go with the Braithwaite’s camping this afternoon and tomorrow. When I got home from work, I went over to Jim Fraizer’s and irrigated his field for him. Jim and his family has taken a trip for a few days and his irrigation turn came up today, so I did the irrigating for him. Brother Freeman and I also went to pickup paper supplies for a Ward Project.
Saturday, September 22, 1973
I went up to Delbert Opie’s and worked for about 7 hours. I attended a Stake Leadership meeting this evening. After returning home, I took Mae out to a show. We saw “The Sound of Music” and although we have seen it before we still really enjoyed the show. Mae sure is a wonderful wife and I do enjoy being with her!
Sunday, September 23, 1973
I attended Ward Executive Meeting this morning. I then came home so Mae and the older children could attend our Stake Conference. I stayed with David as Dr. Shield recommended that we not take David to any public meetings for 2 or 3 weeks. This afternoon Mae stayed home with David while I attended the meetings. This evening we went for a short drive. We like to drive east of town on University Drive, through the citrus groves. When you get into the orchards, the road conforms to the landscape with lots of hills and draws. At 40 MPH the children gets a thrill like a rollercoaster ride. It is also such a good smell to have the windows down so the air circulates with the fragrance of the citrus trees.
Monday, September 24, 1973
After I got home from work and we had dinner, we held a nice Family Home Evening. We then watched a show that Sandy had been assigned to watch by her school teacher. David is having quite a lot of pain tonight, so Mae was up most of the night with him.
Tuesday, September 25, 1973
Mae had dinner ready when I got home this afternoon. Later she took Sandy and Shellie to the movie “Sound of Music”. I stayed home with the boys. David is still not feeling very well.
Wednesday, September 26, 1973
Larry had me working on a job in Tempe today, so that wasn’t so far to travel. After work I went to a Mrs. Woolf’s where in installed some thresholds for her. When I got home, Mae told me that David has been in quite a bit of pain today. I also feel under the weather this evening.
Thursday, September 27, 1973
David still isn’t feeling very good today. When I got home I also am not feeling very well so I didn’t go to work in the Temple tonight. Mollie Ashcroft and her children came over this evening to visit. Doug Caldwell came over and had an offer for us to trade the equity in our home at 233 W. Hunter for the down payment on the home at 1608 N. Freeman, just two blocks away. We decided to make the trade.
Friday, September 28, 1973
This evening Mae and I attended a Wedding and the Reception for Elaine Morgan’s. (I am not sure of the last name. Neither Mae nor I remember the event.)
Saturday, September 29, 1973
I worked at Opie’s this morning for 5 hours. I hung a closet door and was trimming it out. I was in a very tight area and as I reached for my finish nail gun, I hit the trigger, it fired. I felt it hit my leg but it didn’t really hurt. I stood up and pulled the nail from my pant leg and could see it was covered with blood. I checked and it wasn’t bleeding very much so I just ignored it and continued working. After going home Mae, our children and I went with Larry’s family to a Circus. After the Circus, we took the children home. Then Larry, Tammy, Mae and I went out to eat. By the time I got home this evening my leg was beginning to get quite sore. Mae was concerned about infection so I poured some alcohol over the red spot before going to bed.
Sunday, September 30, 1973
My leg felt much better this morning so we were glad that it wasn’t worse. We attended all Sunday meeting as normal. It was good to have all of attend meeting together for a change. The Fraizer’s invited us over to visit this evening. After getting home and putting the children down for the night, Mae and I did some reading before we went to bed.
Monday, October 1, 1973
When I got home from work, Mae had our dinner already packed and we took our family to Pioneer Park to eat. We also held our Family Home evening there. This Park is such a peaceful area, even thou it is right in the middle of Mesa. The park sets just north across Main Street in front of the Mesa LDS Temple and is just a perfect setting. There is lots of play equipment that the children to enjoy, as well as tennis courts and horse shoe pits. Often we would see an older gentleman practicing there by himself. He would throw 4 horse shoes from one end, making a ringer with each, and then going to the other end, doing the same act again. I watched him do this for quite a while, never missing. I finally asked him if he ever missed when playing someone else. He said that he seldom ever missed but then those that he played against also seldom missed. I asked him how when playing that well, how do they determined the winner. He said it was the one that won the starting coin toss.
Tuesday, October 2, 1973
After getting home from work we went over to Jim and Marion Fraizer’s and helped them put in their garden.
Wednesday, October 3, 1973
The Appraiser came this morning with the appraisal on the house we are looking at but we still haven’t heard what the appraisal is on our house. I went up to the church office this evening and finished the Home Teaching report for last month and got it turned in. We finished the final lesson this evening on Finders.
Thursday, October 4, 1973
This evening Mae took me to the Temple as she needed to have the car this evening. I was chosen to perform the baptisms this evening and we were able to perform baptism and confirmation for 581 names tonight. Mae came back as we were finishing and picked me up. While we were there Mae and I went into the cafeteria and had a bowl of soup. We then drove over to Larry and Tammy’s for a few minutes before going home.
Friday, October 5, 1973
When I came home from work I stopped and brought a bouquet of 4 carnations for Mae. After dinner both Mae and I were too tired to go out for the evening, so we just stayed home. After getting the children to bed we watched a show on TV. Mae sure is a wonderful wife!
Saturday, October 6, 1973
I worked at the Opie’s most of the day. Mae took all the children to the Phoenix Zoo for the afternoon. I quite work in time to clean up and attend the General Conference Priesthood session. This session was received through Satellite reception, at one of the Stake Centers. This evening after putting the smaller children to bed, Mae, Sandy and I watched a show on TV before we went to bed.
Sunday, October 7, 1973
Because of it being General Conference Week end there was no other meetings held. That allowed us a Sunday Morning to sleep in. We were able to watch the morning Session on TV at 9AM. That is the only session of Conference that the TV Stations in the Phoenix area would broadcast. The rest of Conference we have to waite until the Ensign comes out.  My Paycheck was quite small this time, due to the shortage of work. We are concerned as to how long we can remain solvent if work continues to slow down. This evening Mae and I stopped by the Porter’s just to visit for a few minutes.
Monday, October 8, 1973
After work we joined with Tonnie Aldredge and his family for Family Home Evening and dinner at the Pioneer Park. After dinner we let the children play as we visited. We didn’t stay very late as it is starting to get quite cool in the evenings.
Tuesday, October 9, 1973
We got the appraisal on our home today. It appraised for $22,000. We were a little surprised at that appraisal with only living here a little over two years. I am concerned that we will not be able to swing a trade for the other home. After putting the children down for the night Mae and I set up and watched a show on TV. Mae is sure a special wife and is always trying to encourage me.
Wednesday, October 10, 1973
After I returned home from work this evening, Brother Doug Caldwell came over to our house. He said the Real estate Broker agreed to make us a trade, our home at 233 West Hunter for the home at 1442 North Freeman if we would pay $500 for the closing costs. We told Doug that we would like to have the night to think and pray about the decision. This evening I joined the Bishopric in holding Priesthood Oral Evaluations concerning Home Teaching visits accomplished last month.
Thursday, October 11, 1973
I had some problems at work that I need to work late on. When I got home I really had to hurry in order to be on time at the Temple. Because we were short on proxies this evening, we called a little girl that is always ready to come to the Temple if he need help. As always she came right over. I also volunteered to be a proxy. I was baptized for 157 people. I think the other little girl was baptized for a 150 names. After I was confirmed for those names that I had been baptized for, I was voice for confirming those that the sister was baptized for. While I was at the Temple, Mae did some work on our bills. When I returned from the Temple we looking at our budget and with prayer, we made the decision to make the trade on homes. Mae is sure a special wife and sweetheart!
Friday, October 12, 1973
I took off a little time from work to purchase a new Circular Power Saw. To make up for the time I was off I worked a little longer this afternoon. After dinner this evening I went Home Teaching. When I returned home we watched a show on TV as a family. Maryon and Jim Frazier asked if Sandy could tend Malinda for a little while this evening. They came and got her and also returned her when they got back home.
Saturday, October 13, 1973
With the decision to buy the home at 1442 North Freeman, we decided to paint the inside of the house before we moved into it. Doug, Joan and Deanne Caldwell also volunteered and came over and help us. We were most of the day and it was getting dark when we finished.
Sunday, October 14, 1973
We attended our Sunday meeting as normal today. This afternoon the Fraizer’s came over to visit and we took then over to see our new house. We still keep hoping that we are making a right decision to get this home.
Monday, October 15, 1973
Today we signed the papers for the purchase of the home on Freeman. Mae started moving over to the house today. I got some of the doors painted along with painting the pantry area. We were quite tired by the time we quite for the day.
Tuesday, October 16, 1973
I went into work this morning. Mae spent much of her day packing and moving things over to the new house. When I got home from work I borrowed a Dotson pickup from Larry and hauled a load over to the house. Because the new house is less than two blocks from our old home, we decided we could move this way. That was a mistake! Of all the moves this move took us longer than any move we have made. Before we quite for the day, Mae and I Mopped and waxed all the floors. I sure love that wife of mine!
Wednesday, October 17, 1973
After getting home we did the main part of the moving. With the help of some good Brother, Jim Fraizer, Doug Caldwell, DeLoy Porter and Tonnie Allredge, we were able to get everything moved over. Mae seemed to be able to get everything put away as fast as we got it hauled over. She is very amazing! When we finished this evening our new home look like home!
Thursday, October 18, 1973
When I got home from work Mae sure had the home looking nice and had everything put away. She is sure a good house keeper and takes great pride in having a clean home. I was able to relax for a few minutes after getting home from work. I again went to the Temple to work in the Baptistery this evening.
Friday, October 19, 1973
I came home from work and had dinner, then cleaned up. This evening I borrowed Larry’s Dotson pickup. I put 4 lawn chairs and blankets in the back. Using the pickup, we went to the drive in theater. Jim, Marrion and Malinda also came over in their car. We parked the pickup backwards so that the children could sit in the back, on the blankets to watch the movie. With the Lawn chairs for the adults to sit on we all enjoy the movie. The movie this evening was “Tom Sawyer”. It was a warm, beautiful evening and we all enjoyed the movie. When the little ones that got tired, they just laid down and we let them sleep.
Saturday, October 20, 1973